Document Document Title
US07649093B2 Naphthalene compounds as selective estrogen receptor modulators
The present invention relates to cycloalkylidene compounds with a variety of therapeutic uses, more particularly novel naphthalene compounds that are particularly useful for selective estrogen receptor modulation.
US07649092B2 Urea derivatives as calcium channel blockers
Urea derivatives which comprise piperidine or piperazine rings and further substitution are effective in ameliorating conditions characterized by unwanted calcium ion channel activity.
US07649090B2 Oxidation of carbohydrate with ultraviolet radiation
A process for the oxidation of carbohydrate with UV light. The process comprises the steps of providing a carbohydrate, combining the carbohydrate with an oxidant and exposing the combined carbohydrate and oxidant to ultraviolet light. The process occurs at alkaline conditions.
US07649089B2 Biodegradable oxidized cellulose esters and their uses as microspheres
A new cellulose excipient, OCCAE, suitable for use as a binder, filler, and/or disintegrant in the development of solid dosage forms and as a bodying agent or a drug carrier in the preparation of topical formulations is described. The cellulose excipient is formed by reacting an oxidized cellulose ester with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. The invention also describes the formation of controlled release microspheres using OCCAE and/or oxidized cellulose esters that may be used to control the release of drug in a patient over a time period of several hours to several days.
US07649086B2 Integrated processing of plant biomass
An integrated process for the production of ethanol from woody plant material is provided, the process comprising: contacting a continuous flow of the plant material with a counter-current continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure to provide plant material depleted of lignin; removing ethanol from the lignin-depleted plant material; contacting a continuous flow of the lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure to solubilize xylose within the plant material; and hydrolyzing cellulose present in the plant material to form glucose, which in turn is fermented to produce ethanol.
US07649084B2 Recombinant glycoproteins related to feline thyrotropin
Amino acid sequences of feline thyrotropin and polynucleotide sequences encoding feline thyrotropin are provided, as well as methods of making and using said sequences.
US07649082B2 Persephin specific antibodies
A novel growth factor, persephin, which belongs to the GDNF/neurturin family of growth factors, is disclosed. The human, mouse and rat amino acid sequences have been identified. Human, mouse and rat persephin genomic DNA sequences have been cloned and sequenced and the respective cDNA sequences identified. In addition, methods for treating degenerative conditions using persephin, methods for detecting persephin gene alterations and methods for detecting and monitoring patient levels of persephin are provided. Methods for identifying additional members of the persephin-neurturin-GDNF family of growth factors are also provided.
US07649076B2 Catalyst free polymerization of 3,4-alkylenedioxypyrrole and 3,4-alkylenedioxyfuran
A method to prepare halogen end-capped polypyrroles, polyfurans or copolymeric pyrroles and furans is presented that readily occurs in a liquid state as well as a solid state without the need of a catalyst from a dihalopyrrole monomer, dihalofuran monomer, or a mixture of monomers. The polymerization mixture can be modified to include a monohalo-monomer for the introduction of a specific end-group or a polyhalo-monomer to form a branched polymer or network. An initiating species can be included in the polymerization mixture to avoid an induction period or to commence the polymerization process on demand. The electroactive polymers can be formed as a bulk material, a coating, or as a film.
US07649073B2 Polycarbonate-poly(alkylene oxide) copolymer compositions and articles formed therefrom
Disclosed herein is a polycarbonate copolymer comprising A) a structure derived from a dihydroxy alkylene oxide compound selected from the group consisting of formula (1a) and formula (1b): H-(E-X)l—OH  (1a) H-(E-X-E)l-OH  (1b) wherein E and X are different and each and independently are selected from the group consisting of formula (2a) and formula (2b): —(OCH2CH2)m—  (2a) —(OCHRCH2)n—  (2b) wherein R is a C1-8 alkyl group; l, m, and n are integers greater than or equal to 1; and wherein the weight average molecular weight of the total amount of the structures corresponding to formula (2b) in the copolymer is between 100 and 2,000 g/mol; and B) a structure derived from a dihydroxy aromatic compound, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the structures of A) and B).
US07649072B2 Polyurethane compositions for golf balls
Polyurethane and polyurea compositions for golf balls with improved stability of the curative blend, wherein the curative blend includes a pigment, a curing agent, and a compatible freezing point depressing agent so that the curative blend has a lower freezing point than the curing agent by itself and the blend does not lose pigment dispersion upon solidification and subsequent thawing.
US07649066B2 Method of obtaining block copolymers and uses thereof in adhesive compositions
The present invention describes linear or star block copolymers, their process of preparation and their use in adhesive compositions, in particular as pressure-sensitive adhesive. The copolymers of the invention are prepared by controlled radical polymerization by nitroxides; they exhibit at least one soft block with a Tg of less than 0° C. and at least one hard block with a Tg of greater than ambient temperature.
US07649063B2 Supported metal alkyl compound and its preparation
Pulverulent solid which consists essentially of at least one metal alkyl compound bound chemically and/or physically to a finely divided, porous, mechanically stable and chemically inert support, has a proportion by weight of metal alkyl compound of at least 5% by weight, based on the support, and has an angle of repose, determined in accordance with ISO 4324, of up to 48°. The solid allows trouble-free metering as active component into a reactor.
US07649062B2 Solid titanium catalyst component, catalyst for polymerization of olefin and process for producing olefin polymer
A solid titanium catalyst component (I) of the present invention is characterized in that it contains titanium, magnesium, halogen, and a cyclic ester compound (a) represented by the following formula (1): wherein n is an integer of 5 to 10; R2 and R3 are each independently COOR1 or R, and at least one of R2 and R3 is COOR1; a single bond (excluding Ca—Ca bonds, and a Ca—Cb bond in the case where R3 is R) in the cyclic backbone may be replaced with a double bond; a plurality of R1's are each independently a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and a plurality of R's are each independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent, but at least one of R's is not a hydrogen atom. When using this solid titanium catalyst component (I), an olefin polymer having a broad molecular weight distribution can be produced.
US07649059B2 Addition-curable organopolysiloxane resin composition
Addition-curable organopolysiloxane resin composition comprising an organopolysiloxane resin that contains at least alkenyl, hydroxyl, and phenyl directly bonded to silicon of which at least 30 mole % is phenyl; an organohydrogenoligosiloxane or organohydrogenpolysiloxane that contains at least phenyl directly bonded to silicon of which at least 20 mole % is phenyl; and an addition reaction-curing catalyst.
US07649055B2 Method of producing highly functionalized 1,3-diamino-propan-2-ols from solid support
The invention is directed to compounds and methods of synthesizing hydroxyethylamino amides and their use in treatment of aspartyl protease mediated diseases and conditions.
US07649054B2 Azlactone telechelic polymer
A curable composition is described comprising a Michael donor component, a polyacryl component, and 1) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a reactive azlactone functional group, or 2) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a reactive ring-opened azlactone functional group. A telechelic polymer that is the reaction product of these components is also described.
US07649053B2 Toner binder for electrophotography and toner
A toner binder for electrophotography excellent in low temperature fixing properties and anti-hot offset properties comprising styrene (co)polymer(s) (A) comprising a modified styrene (co)polymer modified by unsaturated dicarboxylic acids of C4 to C30, ester-forming derivatives thereof, (meth)acrylic acid, or alkyl (meth)acrylates (alkyl group of C1 to C24); said modified styrene (co)polymer containing constituent units derived from a monomer used in the modification is 0.1 to 9 wt %, and a toner using the toner binder. The (co)polymer(s) (A) includes a species that shows at least one GPC peak each in the regions of the molecular weight of 2,000 to 20,000 and 50,000 to 5 million.
US07649051B2 Flame retardant thermoplastic polycarbonate compositions
A flame retardant thermoplastic composition comprising in combination a polycarbonate component; an impact modifier composition, the components of the impact modifier composition comprising a) a bulk polymerized ABS, and b) an impact modifier different from the ABS; an ungrafted rigid copolymer; and a flame retardant. The compositions have an improved balance of physical properties such as impact strength and flow, while at the same time maintaining their good flame performance.
US07649048B2 Conjugated polymers provided with at least one molecular imprinted polymer and a method for their preparation via conjugated macro-iniferters
The present invention provides a conjugated polymer with provided thereon at least one molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) and a method for preparing such a polymer. The conjugate polymer provided with at least one MIP according to the invention combines both transducer properties and selectivity properties in one single material. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for use in chemo- or bio-sensors. Furthermore, the conjugate polymer provided with at least one MIP may be used in electronic devices and in chromatography, molecular recognition, selective sample enrichment or in catalysis.
US07649045B2 Medical films and articles prepared from emulsion polymers
Protective film forming compositions useful as medical films and other related wound care and treatment articles, including liquid bandages are prepared from emulsion polymers, including a polymer blend including at least one hard emulsion polymer component and at least one soft emulsion polymer component, having the required dynamic storage modulus and mean Tg of the hard and soft polymer blend components.
US07649042B2 Rubber composition for running tread and method for obtaining same
The present invention relates to a rubber composition usable for constituting a tire tread, said composition being based on at least (i) a reinforcing inorganic filler, (ii) a diene elastomer having a molar ratio of units originating from conjugated dienes which is greater than 30% which is prepared in emulsion and comprises carboxylic acid functions along its chain, and (iii) a bonding agent between said reinforcing inorganic filler and said elastomer which consists of a polysulphurised alkoxysilane. This composition is such that said elastomer is capable of being obtained by effecting: in an emulsifying solution, radical copolymerisation of at least one conjugated diene monomer with a precursor comonomer which is hydrolysable or oxidisable to carboxylic acid, in order to obtain an intermediate diene elastomer comprising precursor functions of said acid along its chain, then hydrolysis or oxidation of said precursor functions in order to obtain said elastomer comprising carboxylic acid functions along the chain.
US07649024B2 Process for preparing nanofluids with rotating packed bed reactor
The present invention discloses a process for preparing a hydrophobic fluid containing metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed therein such as heat transfer fluids or lubricant fluids, including introducing an alkaline aqueous solution (aqueous phase) and an organic solution of an organic acid metal salt (hydrophobic phase) into a rotating packed bed, the two solutions flowing radially through the rotating packed bed under a great centrifugal force, so that the aqueous phase and the hydrophobic phase contact with each other, reactants in the two phases undergo reactions at the interface of the two phases rapidly, and thus metal oxide nanoparticles are formed. The metal oxide nanoparticles stably dispersed in the hydrophobic phase, which is nanofluid.
US07649023B2 Biodegradable block copolymeric compositions for drug delivery
An improved drug delivery composition and method of use is disclosed. The composition comprises one or more biodegradable block copolymer drug carriers; and a reconstitution enhancing and enabling agent comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG), a PEG derivative or a mixture of PEG and a PEG derivative. The composition can be administered as is or after being be dissolved or rapidly reconstituted in an aqueous vehicle to afford a homogeneous solution or uniform colloidal systems.
US07649022B2 Bioabsorbable elastomeric polymer networks, cross-linkers and methods of use
The invention provides elastomeric polymer networks and semi-interpenetrating networks in which a linear PEA, PEUR or PEU polymer is crosslinked by ester or alpha-amino-acid containing cross-linkers that polymerize upon exposure to active species. Bioabsorbable elastomeric internal fixation devices fabricated using such polymer networks and semi-interpenetrating networks are useful for in vivo implant and delivery of a variety of different types of molecules in a time release fashion. Alpha-amino-acid containing ester amide cross-linkers are also provided by the invention.
US07649019B2 Modified release formulations of a bupropion salt
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions, formulations and medicaments comprising a bupropion salt, in particular, modified-release tablets comprising an effective amount of bupropion hydrobromide, and the use of the bupropion salt to prepare a medicament to treat a condition.
US07649017B2 Compositions intended for the treatment of peripheral neuropathies, preparation thereof and uses of same
The invention relates to the technical fields of biology, pharmacology and medicine. The invention is suitable for use in particular in the human and animal health fields. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of a cAMP modulator in the preparation of compositions that are intended for the prevention or treatment of peripheral neuropathies. The invention further relates to tools and kits to prepare the aforementioned compositions.
US07649016B2 Antitumor medicine
There is provided an antitumor medicine comprising 1,5-D-anhydrofructose and/or ascopyrone. The antitumor medicine has effects of ascopyrone in inhibiting the growth and metastasis of tumors, is expected to inhibit inflammation and exerts an excellent effect on prognosis.
US07649009B2 Pyrazole amide derivatives, compositions containing such compounds and methods of use
Pyrazole amides are disclosed. The compounds are useful for treating type 2 diabetes and related conditions. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are also included.
US07649008B2 Crystal of benzimidazole derivative and process for producing the same
Various crystal forms of 4-(1-((4-methylbenzothiophen-3-yl)methyl)benzimidazol-2-ylthio)butanoic acid from a solvent, and a process for production thereof are provided.
US07649007B2 Oxazolidine derivatives as PR modulators
Compounds of the following structure are described: wherein R1-R6, m, V, W, X, Y, Z and Q are described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, metabolite or prodrug thereof. These compounds are useful for treating a variety of hormone-related conditions including contraception, treating or preventing fibroids, endometriosis, dysfunctional bleeding, uterine leiomyomata, polycystic ovary syndrome, or hormone-dependent carcinomas, providing hormone replacement therapy, stimulating food intake or synchronizing estrus.
US07649006B2 Synthesis of epothilones, intermediates thereto and analogues thereof
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I): as described generally and in classes and subclasses herein. The present invention additionally provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula (I) and provides methods of treating cancer comprising administering a compound of formula (I).
US07649004B2 Pyridine derivatives
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, to processes for the preparation of, intermediates used in the preparation of, and compositions containing such compounds and the uses of such compounds for the treatment of pain.
US07649001B2 Fused benzene derivative and use
The present invention provides a compound represented by the general formula: [wherein Ring A represents an optionally substituted 5- to 8-membered ring, Ring B represents a further optionally substituted 4- to 10-membered ring, Ring C represents a further optionally substituted benzene ring, X1 represents carbon atom, X2 represents a carbon atom, an oxygen atom, etc., W represents a nitrogen atom, etc., Y11 represents a group represented by the formula CR2R3′ (wherein R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, etc., and R3′ represents a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, etc., respectively), Y21 represents a group represented by the formula CR4R5′ (wherein R4 represents a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, etc., and R5′ represents a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, etc., respectively), etc., and R1 represents an electron-withdrawing group, respectively. The formula represents a single bond or a double bond] or a salt thereof, which is useful as an androgen receptor modulator.
US07648996B2 39-desmethoxy derivatives of rapamycin
The present invention relates to novel 39-desmethoxyrapamycin derivatives, methods for their production, and uses thereof. In a further aspect the present invention provides for the use of these 39-desmethoxyrapamycin derivatives in the treatment of cancer and/or B-cell malignancies, the induction or maintenance of immunosuppression, the treatment of transplantation rejection, graft vs. host disease, autoimmune disorders, diseases of inflammation, vascular disease and fibrotic diseases, the stimulation of neuronal regeneration or the treatment of fungal infections.
US07648991B2 Crystalline base of trans-1-((1R,3S)-6-chloro-3-phenylindan-1-yl)-3,3-dimethylpiperazine
Crystalline base of compound trans-1-((1R,3S)-6-chloro-3-phenylindan-1-yl)-3,3-dimethylpiperazine, processes for the preparation of purified free base or salts of this compound, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the base and medical use thereof, including for treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
US07648985B2 Oxabispidine compounds and their use in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias
There is provided compounds of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R41 to R46, A, B and G have meanings given in the description, which are useful in the prophylaxis and in the treatment of arrhythmias, in particular atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.
US07648978B2 Small molecule modulators of cytokine activity
The present invention provides compounds having formula (I) or (II): and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, wherein m, p, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as described generally and in classes and subclasses herein, and additionally provides pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for the use thereof for the treatment of any of a number of diseases, disorders or conditions associated with HGF/SF or other cytokine activity.
US07648976B2 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin polymorphs and formulations
Polymorphs and pharmaceutical formulations of 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG).
US07648975B2 Macrocyclic quinazoline derivatives as antiproliferative agents
The present invention concerns the compounds of formula (I) the N-oxide forms, the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts and the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein Z represents O, CH2, NH or S; in particular Z represents NH; Y represents —C3-9alkyl-, —C3-9alkenyl-, —C3-9alkynyl-, —C3-7alkyl-CO—NH— optionally substituted with amino, mono- or di(C1-4alkyl)amino or C1-4 alkyloxycarbonylamino-, —C3-7alkenyl-CO—NH— optionally substituted with amino, mono- or di(C1-4alkyl)amino- or C1-4alkyloxycarbonylamino-, C1-5alkyl-oxy-C1-5alkyl-, —C1-5alkyl NR13—, —C1-5alkyl-, —C1-5alkyl-NR14—CO—C1-5alkyl-, —C1-5alkyl-CO NR15—C1-5alkyl-, —C1-6alkyl-CO—NH—, —C1-6alkyl-NH—CO—, —C1-3alkyl-NH—CS-Het20-, —C1-3alkyl-NH—CO-Het20, —C1-2alkyl-CO-Het21-CO—, -Het22-CH2—CO—NH—C1-3alkyl-, —CO—NH—C1-6alkyl-, —NH—CO—C1-6alkyl-, —CO—C1-7alkyl-, —C1-7alkyl-CO—, —C1-6alkyl-CO—C1-6alkyl-, —C1-2alkyl-NH—CO—CR16R17—NH—, —C1-2alkyl-CO—NH—CR18R19—CO—, —C1-2alkyl-CO—NR20—C1-3alkyl-CO—, C1-2alkyl-NR21—CH2—CO—NH—C1-3alkyl-, or NR22—CO—C1-3alkyl-NH—, X1 represents a direct bond, O or —O—C1-2alkyl-, CO, —CO—C1-2alkyl-, NR11, —NR11—C1-2alkyl-, —CH2—, —O—N═CH— or —C1-2alkyl-; X2 represents a direct bond, O, —O—C1-2alkyl-, CO, —CO—C1-2alkyl-, NR12, —NR12—C1-2alkyl-, —CH2—, —O—N═CH— or —C1-2alkyl-. The growth inhibitory effect anti-tumour activity of the present compounds has been demonstrated in vitro, in enzymatic on the receptor tyrosine kinase EGFR.
US07648966B2 Mannose-6-phosphonate compounds for the treatment of inflammatory diseases
Novel phosphotetrahydropyran compounds that mimic mannose-6-phosphate but that are more resistant to phosphatases and mannosidases, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, are disclosed. These compounds and compositions inhibit T lymphocyte migration from blood to tissues or to other extravascular sites. By inhibiting such migration, these compounds are useful for treating diseases or disorders that are mediated at least in part by such T lymphocyte migration. Such diseases and disorders include rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, T cell-mediated dermatitis, stromal keratitis, uveitis, thyroiditis, sialitis and type I diabetes.
US07648965B2 Method for fostering bone formation and preservation
A method of inducing bone formation in a subject in need of such inducement comprises the steps of mechanically inducing an increase in osteoblast activity in the subject and elevating blood concentration of at least one bone anabolic agent in the subject. The method steps may be performed in any order, but in sufficient time proximity that the elevated concentration of the anabolic agent and the mechanically induced increase in osteoblast activity overlaps. The method may additionally comprise providing the subject with an elevated blood concentration of at least one antiresorptive agent, wherein the elevated concentration is sufficient to prevent resorption of new bone growth produced due to the osteoblast activity. Use of the method permits targeting of specific bones of the subject for bone production and preservation, faster bone production and earlier discontinuation of bone anabolic pharmaceuticals. Kits adapted for performing the method are provided.
US07648964B2 Use of lacritin in promoting ocular cell survival
The present invention relates to the use of lacritin, and fragments, derivatives, and homologs thereof, and nucleic acid sequences encoding that protein. The invention relates to the use of lacritin as a growth factor human corneal epithelial cells and other select epithelial cells. The invention also relates to the use of lacritin in promoting ocular cell survival in response to an insult or injury, in protecting against ocular inflammation, and in promoting ocular wound repair.
US07648963B2 Molecules of the PYRIN/NBS/LRR protein family and uses thereof
Novel PYRIN-2, PYRIN-3, PYRIN-5, PYRIN-6, PYRIN-7, PYRIN-8, PYRIN-10, and PYRIN-11 polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated PYRIN-2, PYRIN-3, PYRIN-5, PYRIN-6, PYRIN-7, PYRIN-8, PYRIN-10, and PYRIN-11 proteins, the invention further provides PYRIN-2, PYRIN-3, PYRIN-5, PYRIN-6, PYRIN-7, PYRIN-8, PYRIN-10, and PYRIN-11 fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-PYRIN-2, -PYRIN-3, -PYRIN-5, -PYRIN-6, -PYRIN-7, -PYRIN-8, -PYRIN-10, and -PYRIN-11 antibodies. The invention also provides PYRIN-2, PYRIN-3, PYRIN-5, PYRIN-6, PYRIN-7, PYRIN-8, PYRIN-10, and PYRIN-11 nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which a PYRIN-2, PYRIN-3, PYRIN-5, PYRIN-6, PYRIN-7, PYRIN-8, PYRIN-10, or PYRIN-11 gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US07648962B2 Natriuretic compounds, conjugates, and uses thereof
Modified natriuretic compounds and conjugates thereof are disclosed in the present invention. In particular, conjugated forms of hBNP are provided that include at least one modifying moiety attached thereto. The modified natriuretic compound conjugates retain activity for stimulating cGMP production, binding to NPR-A receptor, and in some embodiments an improved half-life in circulation as compared to unmodified counterpart natriuretic compounds. Oral, parenteral, enteral, subcutaneous, pulmonary, and intravenous forms of the compounds and conjugates may be prepared as treatments and/or therapies for heart conditions particularly congestive heart failure. Modifying moieties comprising oligomeric structures having a variety of lengths and configurations are also disclosed. Analogs of the natriuretic compound are also disclosed, having an amino acid sequence that is other than the native sequence.
US07648960B2 Method for delivery of monomeric or dimeric insulin complexed to diketopiperazine microparticles
Methods are provided for purifying peptides and proteins by incorporating the peptide or protein into a diketopiperazine or competitive complexing agent to facilitate removal of one or more impurities from the peptide or protein. Formulations and methods also are provided for the improved transport of active agents across biological membranes, resulting for example in a rapid increase in blood agent concentration. The formulations include microparticles formed of (i) the active agent, which may be charged or neutral, and (ii) a transport enhancer that masks the charge of the agent and/or that forms hydrogen bonds with the target biological membrane in order to facilitate transport. In one embodiment insulin is administered via the pulmonary delivery of microparticles comprising fumaryl diketopiperazine and insulin in its biologically active form. This method of delivering insulin results in a rapid increase in blood insulin concentration that is comparable to the increase resulting from intravenous delivery.
US07648958B2 Factor VIII/vWF-complex and methods of purifying same
There is disclosed a method of recovering factor VIII/vWF-complex which is characterized in that factor VIII/vWF-complex from a protein solution is bound to a cation exchanger and is recovered by step-wise elution of factor VIII/vWF-complex, which particularly contains high-molecular vWF multimers, as well as a factor VIII/vWF-complex obtainable by means of cation exchange chromatography.
US07648955B2 Fragrances comprising residual accords
A fragrance composition is provided comprising from about 10% wt to about 40% wt of a residual accord, the residual accord comprising perfume raw materials (PRMs) selected from at least three of the five defined classes. In addition, personal care compositions comprising the defined fragrance composition are also provided.
US07648947B2 Lubricating oil composition for internal combustion engine
The present invention provides a lubricating oil composition for an internal combustion engine which is very good in base number retention property, detergency at high temperature and valve train anti-wear property and does not substantially contain phosphorus- and/or sulfur-containing anti-wear agent. The composition comprises a lubricant base oil comprising a mineral oil and/or a synthetic oil, (A) 0.001 to 0.5% by mass of an ester of a boric acid in terms of boron element therein and (B) 0.01 to 5% by mass of an ashless antioxidant, wherein said composition contains substantially no metal salts of dithiophosphoric acid and has a sulfur content of 0.2% by mass or less, each percentage being based on a total mass of the composition.
US07648945B2 Herbicide combination
The present invention relates to a herbicide combination comprising components (A) and (B), where (A) is one or more herbicides from the group of the compounds of the formula (I) or salts thereof in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and A are as defined in claim 1; and (B) is one or more herbicides different from herbicide (A), preferably from the group of compounds consisting of (B1) herbicides which can be employed selectively and which are effective mainly against monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous harmful plants, (B2) herbicides which can be employed selectively and which are effective mainly against dicotyledonous harmful plants and (B3) herbicides which can be employed selectively and which are effective mainly against monocotyledonous harmful plants, (B4) herbicides which can be employed non-selectively and which are effective against monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous harmful plants, for example for use in the non-selective field or in crops which are specifically tolerant.
US07648944B2 Transfer method and transfer apparatus
A transfer method includes the steps of placing a donor substrate including a support base and a transfer layer provided on the support base onto a receptor substrate such that the transfer layer faces the receptor substrate, evacuating a space between the receptor substrate and the donor substrate that are placed one on the other, and transferring the transfer layer onto the receptor substrate by applying a radiant ray onto the donor substrate in an evacuated atmosphere.
US07648940B2 Catalyst system for olefin polymerization and polymers produced therefrom
This invention relates to a catalyst composition of the formula: where Z—O is a support material, where O is oxygen, preferably Z is Si, Ti, Al, Sn, Fe, Ga, Zr, B, Mg, or Cr; each X is, independently, N, O, P or S; each n is, independently, 1 or 2; each R is, independently, an alkyl group, a substituted alkyl group, an aryl group, or a substituted aryl group, provided at least one R group is an aryl or substituted aryl group. This invention also relates to the use of the above catalyst compound with an aluminum alkyl to polymerize olefins and other monomers.
US07648937B2 Catalyst system for polymerizing cyclic olefin having polar functional group, polymerizing method using the catalyst system, olefin polymer produced by the method and optical anisotropic film comprising the olefin polymer
A catalyst system capable of producing a cyclic olefin polymer having a polar functional group and a high molecular weight with a high yield in which a catalyst is not deactivated due to polar functional groups of monomers, and a method of producing polymers using the same are provided. The catalyst system for polymerization of olefin according to the present invention has good thermal and chemical stability, and thus, in the method of preparing polyolefin using the catalyst system, the deactivation of a catalyst due to a polar functional group of the monomer can be prevented, and thus a high yield of the cyclic olefin polymer with a high molecular weight can be obtained when a ratio of the catalyst to the monomer is 1:5000, and the removal of a catalyst residue is not required.
US07648933B2 Composition comprising spinel crystals, glass, and calcium iron silicate
A composition with a Mohs hardness of at least 6.0, wherein said composition contains at least 30 weight percent of spinel crystals, at least 10 weight percent of glass, and less than 10 weight percent of ferrometalsilicate. The composition also contains particles with a particle size distribution such that at least about 95 weight percent of such particles are smaller than about 2.0 millimeters; at least about 70 weight percent of such particles have a particle shape that is either the blocky particle shape or the pyramidal particle shape. At least 20 weight percent of the spinel crystals are equiaxed spinel crystals; the weight/weight ratio of said spinel crystals to said glass is at least 1.2/1; the composition has a melting point in excess of 1440 degrees Celsius; and the composition has a density of from about 3.0 to about 4.5.
US07648932B2 Molded porous ceramic article containing beta-SiC and process for the production thereof
The invention relates to a process for the production of a molded porous ceramic article containing β-SiC, which process comprises the following steps: the preparation of a molded article containing silicon and carbon and the subsequent pyrolysis and siliconization of the article containing silicon and carbon to form SiC. The invention further relates to a molded porous ceramic article containing SiC which has been produced from a molded article containing silicon and carbon.
US07648931B2 Plasma display apparatus and driving method thereof
The present invention relates to a sealing glass composition that excludes Pb, i.e., an environmentally harmful material, and a flat panel display apparatus using the same. A sealing glass composition of the present invention comprises Sb2O3 of 20 mol % to 50 mol %, B2O3 of 30 mol % to 70 mol %, SiO2 of 5 mol % to 15 mol % and Al2O3 of 0 mol % to 15 mol %. The flat display apparatus of the present invention has a front panel and a rear panel, which are combined together with a sealing glass composition with a predetermined distance therebetween.
US07648930B2 Hydrolysis-resistant glass, a method of making said glass and uses of same
The glass for a fluorescent light with a high hydrolytic resistance, which has composition, in % by weight based on oxide content of: SiO2, 63-75; B2O3, 15-18; Al2O3, 3.2-4.5; Na2O, 1-2; K2O, 2-6; ΣNa2O+K2O, 3-8; MgO, 0-8; CaO, 0-10; SrO, 0-10; BaO, 0-10; ZnO, 0-5; ΣMgO+CaO+SrO+BaO+ZnO, 0-10; ZrO2, 0-3; CeO2, 0-10; Fe2O3, 0-1; WO3, 0-3; Bi2O3, 0-5; MoO3, 0-3; TiO2, 0-10; ΣHf+Ta+W+Re+Os+Ir+Pt+La+Pr+Nd+Sm+Eu+Gd+Tb+Dy+Ho+Er+Tm+Yb+Lu in oxidic form, 0 to 5% by weight, as well as one or more conventional refining agents. The glass is characterized in that it contains no lithium and has a weight ratio of Na2O to K2O of less than one.
US07648929B2 Low boron glass composition for loose-fill fiberglass insulation
The present invention relates to fiberglass loose-fill insulation that is insensitive to the content of boron in the composition of the glass. It has been discovered that the level of boron in the glass used for the manufacture of loose-fill glass wool can be substantially reduced without degrading thermal performance. The lowered amount of boron provides for a lower cost batch composition and increased furnace life. The glass composition of the present invention includes a substantially reduced content of boron and preferably an increased amount of sodium dioxide. The primary phase of these glass compositions is typically devitrite (Na2Ca3Si6O16). The glass of the present invention provides a glass fiber blowing wool that does not require an increase in pack density to compensate for the reduced boron content while achieving the similar thermal conductivity. The glass of the present invention is also suitable for use in acoustic insulation.
US07648927B2 Method for forming silicon-containing materials during a photoexcitation deposition process
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method for depositing films or layers using a UV source during a photoexcitation process. The films are deposited on a substrate and usually contain a material, such as silicon (e.g., epitaxy, crystalline, microcrystalline, polysilicon, or amorphous), silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, or other silicon-containing materials. The photoexcitation process may expose the substrate and/or gases to an energy beam or flux prior to, during, or subsequent a deposition process. Therefore, the photoexcitation process may be used to pre-treat or post-treat the substrate or material, to deposit the silicon-containing material, and to enhance chamber cleaning processes. Attributes of the method that are enhanced by the UV photoexcitation process include removing native oxides prior to deposition, removing volatiles from deposited films, increasing surface energy of the deposited films, increasing the excitation energy of precursors, reducing deposition time, and reducing deposition temperature.
US07648925B2 Multilayer barrier stacks and methods of making multilayer barrier stacks
An improved barrier stack. The barrier stack is made by the process of depositing the polymeric decoupling layer on a substrate; depositing a first inorganic layer on the decoupling layer under a first set of conditions wherein an ion and neutral energy arriving at the substrate is less than about 20 eV so that the first inorganic layer is not a barrier layer, wherein a temperature of the substrate is less than about 150° C.; and depositing a second inorganic layer on the first inorganic layer under a second set of conditions wherein an ion and neutral energy arriving at the substrate is greater than about 50 eV so that the second inorganic layer is a barrier layer. Methods of reducing damage to a polymeric layer in a barrier stack are also described.
US07648910B2 Method of manufacturing opening and via opening
A method of manufacturing an opening is described. First, a substrate including a conductive portion and a dielectric layer both formed thereon is provided. The conductive portion at least includes a conductive layer and a passivation layer from bottom-up, and the dielectric layer covers the conductive portion. A first dry etching step is then performed to form an opening on the passivation layer by using a reactive gas containing a high polymer gas. The bottom of the opening has an initial dimension, and an obtuse angle is included by the bottom of the opening and an inner sidewall of the opening. Next, an opening enlarging step is performed to reach a target dimension of the bottom of the opening. The target dimension is larger than the initial dimension and to the least extent the conductive layer is not exposed by the opening.
US07648904B2 Metal line in semiconductor device and method for forming the same
A metal line in a semiconductor device includes an insulation layer having trenches formed therein, a barrier metal layer formed over the insulation layer and the trenches, a metal layer formed over the barrier metal layer, wherein the metal layer fills the trenches, and an anti-galvanic corrosion layer formed on an interface between the metal layer and the barrier metal layer.
US07648903B2 Modular bonding pad structure and method
A semiconductor die includes a plurality of drivers and a plurality of bonding pads. Each driver is formed by a plurality of interconnected modules and has an associated bonding pad to which at least one of the modules of the driver is electrically connected. The modules of some of the drivers are positioned outside of the associated bonding pad toward a periphery of the die. The bonding pads may be arranged, for example, in a double- or triple-staggered pattern around the periphery of the die.
US07648902B2 Manufacturing method of redistribution circuit structure
A method of manufacturing a redistribution circuit structure is provided. First, a substrate is provided. The substrate has a plurality of pads and a passivation layer. The passivation layer has a plurality of first openings exposing a portion of each of the pads, respectively. A first patterned photoresist layer is formed on the passivation layer. The first patterned photoresist layer has a plurality of second openings exposing a portion of each of the pads. A plurality of first bumps is formed in the second openings, respectively. An under ball metal (UBM) material layer is formed over the substrate to cover the first patterned photoresist layer and the first bumps. A plurality of conductive lines is formed on the UBM material layer. The UBM material layer is patterned to form a plurality of UBM layers using the conductive lines as a mask.
US07648901B2 Manufacturing process and apparatus therefor utilizing reducing gas
A manufacturing process and apparatus therefore are provided for processing an electronic device comprising oxidizable material during processing. The electronic device is located inside a chamber and is heated a processing temperature with a heater. A reductive atmosphere is created in the chamber by supplying a gas comprising glycolic acid vapor while processing the electronic device at the processing temperature.
US07648900B2 Vias having varying diameters and fills for use with a semiconductor device and methods of forming semiconductor device structures including same
A method for forming electrical interconnects having different diameters and filler materials through a semiconductor wafer comprises forming first and second openings through a semiconductor, wherein the first opening has a narrower width (smaller diameter) than the second opening. A first conductive material is formed over the semiconductor wafer to completely fill the narrower opening and only partially fill the wider opening. The first conductive material is optionally removed from the wider opening using an isotropic etch. A second conductive material is subsequently formed over the semiconductor to completely fill the wider opening.
US07648893B2 Method for manufacturing a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate for microelectronics and optoelectronics
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor including the steps of supplying a substrate having a support with one face supporting a strained silicon thin layer; forming a first mask on a portion of the strained silicon thin layer; epitaxy of Si1-xGex on the portion of the layer not masked by the first mask; condensating germanium to obtain a strained germanium layer, the strained germanium layer then covered by a silicon oxide layer; eliminating the first mask and of the silicon oxide layer thereby exposing a semi-conducting thin layer; forming a second mask on the semi-conducting thin layer exposed via the previous step, the second mask protecting a region of the exposing a remaining strained germanium portion; epitaxial growing germanium on the remaining strained germanium portion; and removing the second mask.
US07648892B2 Methods and apparatus for depositing a microcrystalline silicon film for photovoltaic device
Methods for depositing a microcrystalline silicon film layer with improved deposition rate and film quality are provided in the present invention. Also, a photovoltaic (PV) cell having a microcrystalline silicon film is provided. In one embodiment, the method produces a microcrystalline silicon film on a substrate at a deposition rate greater than about 20 nm per minute, wherein the microcrystalline silicon film has a crystallized volume between about 20 percent to about 80 percent.
US07648891B2 Semiconductor chip shape alteration
The invention is directed to an improved semiconductor chip that reduces crack initiation and propagation into the active area of a semiconductor chip. A semiconductor wafer includes dicing channels that separate semiconductor chips and holes through a portion of a semiconductor chip, which are located at the intersection of the dicing channels. Once diced from the semiconductor wafer, semiconductor chips are created without ninety degree angle corners.
US07648890B2 Process for producing silicon wafer
A process for producing a silicon wafer comprising a single-wafer etching step of performing an etching by supplying an etching solution through a supplying-nozzle to a surface of a single and a thin-discal wafer obtained by slicing a silicon single crystal ingot and rotating the wafer to spread the etching solution over all the surface of the wafer; and a grinding step of grinding the surface of the wafer, in this order, wherein the etching solution used in the single-wafer etching step is an aqueous acid solution which contains hydrogen fluoride, nitric acid, and phosphoric acid in an amount such that the content of which by weight % at a mixing rate of fluoric acid:nitric acid:phosphoric acid is 0.5 to 40%:5 to 50%:5 to 70%, respectively.
US07648884B2 Semiconductor device with integrated resistive element and method of making
A resistive device (44) and a transistor (42) are formed. Each uses a portion of a metal layer (18) that is formed at the same time and thus additional process steps are avoided to remove the metal from the resistive device. The metal used in the resistive device is selectively treated to increase the resistance in the resistive device. A polycrystalline semiconductor material layer (34) overlies the metal layer in the resistive device. The combination of these layers provides the resistive device. In one form the metal is treated after formation of the polycrystalline semiconductor material layer. In one form the metal treatment involves an implant of a species, such as oxygen, to increase the resistivity of the metal. Various transistor structures are formed using the untreated portion of the metal layer as a control electrode.
US07648879B2 High-voltage vertical transistor with a multi-gradient drain doping profile
A high-voltage transistor includes first and second trenches that define a mesa in a semiconductor substrate. First and second field plate members are respectively disposed in the first and second trenches, with each of the first and second field plate members being separated from the mesa by a dielectric layer. The mesa includes a plurality of sections, each section having a substantially constant doping concentration gradient, the gradient of one section being at least 10% greater than the gradient of another section. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US07648875B2 Methods for forming DRAM devices including protective patterns and related devices
A first interlayer dielectric is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A contact pad is formed to contact the substrate through the first interlayer dielectric. A bitline is formed on the first interlayer dielectric not to contact the contact pad. A second interlayer dielectric is formed and planarized to expose the top of the bitline. A protective layer is formed an entire surface of the resultant structure. A sacrificial layer is formed on the protective layer. The sacrificial layer, the protective layer, and the second interlayer dielectric are patterned between two adjacent bitlines to form a bottom electrode contact hole exposing the contact pad. A conductive layer is formed and planarized to form a bottom electrode contact plug filling the bottom electrode contact hole.
US07648872B2 Methods of forming DRAM arrays
Methods of etching into silicon oxide-containing material with an etching ambient having at least 75 volume percent helium. The etching ambient may also include carbon monoxide, O2 and one or more fluorocarbons. The openings formed in the silicon oxide-containing material may be utilized for fabrication of container capacitors, and such capacitors may be incorporated into DRAM.
US07648867B2 Method for fabricating a semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: forming a dummy gate that defines a region in which a gate electrode should be formed on a semiconductor substrate; forming a surface film on the semiconductor substrate by directional sputtering vertical to a surface of the semiconductor substrate, the directional sputtering being one of collimate sputtering, long throw sputtering and ion beam sputtering; removing the surface film formed along a sidewall of the dummy gate; removing the dummy gate; and forming the gate electrode in the region from which the dummy gate on the semiconductor substrate has been removed.
US07648865B1 Method for manufacturing pixel structure
A method for manufacturing a pixel structure is provided. First, a gate and a gate insulating layer are sequentially formed on the substrate. A channel layer and a second metal layer are sequentially formed on the gate insulating layer. The second metal layer is patterned to form a source and a drain by using a patterned photoresist layer formed thereon, wherein the source and the drain are disposed on a portion of the channel layer. The gate, the channel, the source and the drain form a thin film transistor. A passivation layer is formed on the patterned photoresist layer, the gate insulating layer and the thin film transistor. Then, the patterned photoresist layer is removed, such that the passivation layer thereon is removed simultaneously to form a patterned passivation layer and the drain is exposed. A pixel electrode is formed on the patterned passivation layer and the drain.
US07648853B2 Dual channel heterostructure
Dual channel heterostructures comprising strained Si and strained Ge-containing layers are disclosed, along with methods for producing such structures. In preferred embodiments, a strain-relaxed buffer layer is deposited on a carrier substrate, a strained Si layer is deposited over the strain-relaxed buffer layer and a strained Ge-containing layer is deposited over the strained Si layer. The structure can be transferred to a host substrate to produce the strained Si layer over the strained Ge-containing layer. By depositing the Si layer first, the process avoids Ge agglomeration problems.
US07648852B2 Low-voltage organic thin film transistor and fabrication method thereof
The present invention provides an organic thin film transistor (OTFT) being operatable at a low-voltage. The OTFT has a gate dielectric layer of ultra-thin metal oxide or a dual gate dielectric layer of metal oxide and organic dielectric. The metal oxide layer is self-grown to a thickness lower than 10 nm by direct oxidation of a metal gate electrode in O2 plasma process at a temperature lower than 100° C. The gate electrode is deposited with pattern on a plastic or glass substrate. An organic semiconductor layer is deposited on the gate dielectric layer, and source/drain electrodes are formed thereon. In case the dual gate dielectric layer is used, the source/drain electrodes can be disposed under the organic semiconductor layer to realize a bottom contact structure.
US07648850B2 Method for producing semiconductor chip
A method for producing many semiconductor chips, each having a semiconductor circuit disposed on the face thereof and a die bonding film stuck to the back thereof, from a semiconductor wafer in which many rectangular regions are defined on its face by streets arranged in a lattice pattern, and the semiconductor circuit is disposed in each of the rectangular regions. The method comprises: a groove formation step of forming grooves of a predetermined depth along the streets on the face of the semiconductor wafer; a protective film sticking step of sticking a protective film to the face of the semiconductor wafer, where the grooves have been formed; a division step of grinding the back of the semiconductor wafer to render the thickness of the semiconductor wafer equal to or smaller than the depth of the groove, thereby dividing the rectangular regions individually; a die bonding film/holding film sticking step of sticking a die bonding film and a holding film, in this order, to the ground back of the semiconductor wafer; a protective film peeling step of peeling the protective film from the face of the semiconductor wafer; a spacing increasing step of stretching the holding film to increase spacing between the individually divided rectangular regions; and a die bonding film cutting step of irradiating the die bonding film with a laser beam from the face side of the semiconductor wafer through the clearance between the rectangular regions to cut the die bonding film along the clearance between the rectangular regions.
US07648847B2 In-situ monitoring and method to determine accumulated printed wiring board thermal and/or vibration stress fatigue using a mirrored monitor chip and continuity circuit
A monitoring system includes a monitor chip or chips soldered to a printed wiring board. By mirroring a function IC chip interface with the monitor chip, the consumed and remaining thermal/and or vibration-fatigue life of the function IC chip based on the life-environment actually experienced through monitoring of the monitor chip is readily determined. The monitor chip includes monitoring interconnections and/or circuitry which determines the number and/or location of failed-open solder terminations of the monitor chip.
US07648846B2 Active matrix substrate and repairing method thereof
An active matrix substrate including a substrate, a plurality of pixel units, a plurality of driving lines, an electron static discharge (ESD) protection circuit and a floating line is provided. The substrate has an active region and a peripheral region connected with the active region. The pixel units are arranged in a matrix in the active region. The driving lines electrically connected to the pixels are disposed in the active region and the peripheral region. The ESD protection circuit and the floating line are disposed in the peripheral region of the substrate. The ESD protection circuit is electrically connected to the driving lines. The ESD protection circuit includes an outer short ring (OSR) and an inner short ring (ISR) disposed between the pixel units and the OSR. The floating line is located beside the outer driving line.
US07648842B2 Security paper authentication system with dual instant color
The present invention relates to a unique dual color security paper authentication system. The authenticating system comprises the combination of a security paper together with a coordinated applicator. The paper contains a starch, an iodide salt and an acidic developer resin. The applicator of the system comprises two authenticating solutions. The first authenticating solution comprises one or more of a sulfonamide and a copper salt dispersed in a solvent. The second authenticating solution comprises one or more of a leuco and fluoran dye precursor dispersed in a solvent. On applying the authenticating solutions to authentic security paper, a first color of a starch iodine is expressed and a second color of a leuco or fluoran dye is expressed.
US07648841B2 Reagent for determining the absolute configuration of chiral compound and determination method
The present invention relates to a reagent for determining the absolute configuration of a chiral compound containing as an active ingredient a metalloporphyrin dimer, wherein the metalloporphyrin dimer has an alkaline-earth metal ion as a central metal and has a carbon chain-crosslinked structure in which at least one of the two porphyrin rings has a substituent bulkier than methyl at least one of the second carbon atoms from a carbon atom bonded to the crosslinking carbon chain along the outer periphery of the porphyrin ring and a method for determining the absolute configuration of an asymmetric carbon atom of the chiral compound using the reagent.
US07648838B2 Cell lysis method by immobilized metal-ligand complex
Provided is a lysis method for cells or viruses, including: immobilizing a metal-ligand complex on a solid support; and mixing the complex immobilized on the support with a cell or virus solution. According to the lysis method, by immobilizing a chemical on a solid support to perform cell lysis, the dilution problem according to the addition of a cell lysis solution can be resolved and a separate process of removing the chemical is not required so as to reduce the steps upon LOC implementation. In addition, since a variety of solid supports, such as chips, beads, nanoparticles etc. can be used, cell lysis apparatuses of various forms can be fabricated.
US07648837B2 High throughput screening methods for lubricating oil compositions
A method for determining oxidation stability for a plurality of different lubricating oil composition samples is provided. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil compositions is generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.
US07648836B1 Moisture and sediment analysis
Systems and methods for measuring the moisture and sediment content of a sample. In one embodiment, a sample to be tested is collected in a field bottle. The sample from the field bottle is then transferred from the field bottle, and into and through an analysis bottle containing a desiccant material. As the sample is being pulled through the analysis bottle, a microwave measurement system (or other scattering parameter measuring system) is used to measure the effects of the sample on the scattering parameters of the desiccant material. By measuring the effects of the sample on the scattering parameters of the desiccant material, the sample's moisture content can be determined. The sample's moisture can also be determined by measuring the expanded volume of the desiccant. A filter section having a sight glass with graduations is used to determine the sediment content of the sample.
US07648833B2 Container for germ layer formation and method of forming germ layer
The invention relates to a vessel for embryoid formation used for forming embryoid bodies from ES cells easily without complicated technique, and to a method for forming embryoid bodies easily and efficiently using the vessel. The method includes the steps of (A) providing a vessel for embryoid formation having a coating layer formed from a compound having a particular PC-like group on a vessel surface defining a region for floating culture of ES cells, and (B) floating culturing ES cells in the vessel to form embryoid bodies.
US07648829B2 Method and device for trichomonas detection
A method and kit for detecting Trichomonas vaginalis infection in a human subject are disclosed. In the method, a body-fluid sample such as a vaginal-swab sample or urine is obtained from the subject and contacted with an antibody specific against a Trichomonas adhesin peptide, forming an antibody-adhesin peptide complex if the subject is infected with Trichomonas. The presence or absence of the complex establishes, with a reliability of at least 80%, in the case of a vaginal swab sample, and with a reliability of at least 40% in the case of a urine sample, the presence or absence, respectively, of Trichomonas infection in the subject. A preferred test kit employs a dry-strip, sandwich assay, format.
US07648825B2 Biomarkers for differentiating between type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Biomarkers that are diagnostic of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and/or diabetic disorder are identified. Detection of different biomarkers of the invention are also diagnostic of the degree of severity of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and/or diabetic disorder. An analysis includes the parameters of matching for BMI and Tanner stage. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves were established to assess association of the biomarkers with a disease.
US07648824B2 Method of sequencing DNA
The present invention provides a method of identifying a base at a target position in a sample nucleic acid sequence, said method comprising: subjecting a primer hybridised to said sample nucleic acid immediately adjacent to the target position, to a polymerase primer extension reaction in the presence of a nucleotide, whereby the nucleotide will only become incorporated if it is complementary to the base in the target position, and determining whether or not said nucleotide is incorporated by detecting whether PPi is released, the identity of the target base being determined from the identity of any nucleotide incorporated, wherein, where said nucleotide comprises an adenine base, an α-thio triphosphate analogue of said nucleotide is used, ant the Rp isomer of said analogue and/or the degradation products of said analogue are eliminated from the polymerase reaction step.
US07648819B2 Method and apparatus for cleaning a semiconductor substrate in an immersion lithography system
A method and apparatus for reduction and prevention of residue formation and removal of residues formed in an immersion lithography tool. The apparatus including incorporation of a cleaning mechanism within the immersion head of an immersion lithographic system or including a cleaning mechanism in a cleaning station of an immersion lithographic system.
US07648816B2 Positive resist composition, method for forming resist pattern and compound
A positive resist composition that includes a base material component (A) that contains an acid-dissociable, dissolution-inhibiting group and exhibits increased alkali solubility under the action of acid, and an acid generator component (B) that generates acid upon exposure, wherein the base material component (A) contains a compound (A1), in which either a portion of, or all of, the hydrogen atoms of phenolic hydroxyl groups within a polyhydric phenol compound with a molecular weight of 300 to 2,500 represented by a general formula (I) shown below have been substituted with at least one group selected from the group consisting of acid-dissociable, dissolution-inhibiting groups represented by a general formula (II) shown below and acid-dissociable, dissolution-inhibiting groups represented by a general formula (III) shown below.
US07648815B2 Negative photosensitive polyimide composition and method for forming image the same
Disclosed is a composition of a negative-type photosensitive polyimide which is solvent soluble, which is excellent in adhesiveness, heat resistance, mechanical properties and in flexibility, which shows characteristics of alkali-soluble highly sensitive negative-type photoresist upon irradiation with light, The composition according to the present invention comprises a photo radical initiator and a solvent-soluble polyimide which shows negative-type photosensitivity in the presence of the photo radical initiator.
US07648813B2 Pattern forming method
By using an intaglio plate for holding a pattern formed by a developing agent, a transfer device for transferring patterns developed on the intaglio plate to a transfer object medium, and a baking chamber for eliminating an electrode layer after transfer or heightening resistance thereof, the patterns developed on the intaglio plate are transferred onto the electrode layer disposed at the opposite side of the transfer object medium, and then heated in the baking chamber, whereby the electrode layer is eliminated or heightened in resistance.
US07648809B2 Electron beam exposure method, hot spot detecting apparatus, semiconductor device manufacturing method, and computer program product
An EB exposure method includes dividing drawing layer pattern to be transferred onto drawing layer by EB exposure and underlying pattern to be transferred onto an underlying layer of the drawing layer by the EB exposure respectively into unit regions, setting representative figure in each of the unit regions of the drawing and underlying layers, the representative figure set in each of the unit regions of the drawing layer corresponding to the drawing layer pattern of each of the unit regions of the drawing layer, the representative figure set in each of the unit regions of the underlying layer corresponding to the underlying layer pattern of each of the unit regions of the underlying layer, and obtaining influence of proximity effect of an arbitrary region of the drawing layer pattern, based on the representative figure that corresponds to the drawing and underlying layer patterns.
US07648805B2 Masks and methods of manufacture thereof
Lithography masks and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes a method of generating an assist feature of a lithography mask. The method includes providing a layout for a material layer of a semiconductor device, the layout including a pattern for at least one feature of the semiconductor device. The method includes forming an assist feature in the pattern for the at least one feature, wherein the assist feature extends completely through the pattern for the at least one feature.
US07648804B2 Mask and fabrication method thereof and application thereof
A mask including a transparent substrate, a semi-transparent layer and a film layer is provided. The transparent substrate at least has a first region, a second region and a third region. The semi-transparent layer covers the second region and the third region of the transparent substrate and exposes the first region. The film layer covers the halftone layer disposed at the third region, to make the transmittance of the third region lower than that of the second region. The halftone layer and the film can be made of phase shift layers, to form a phase shift mask. Besides, several fabrication methods of the mask are also disclosed to form the above-mentioned mask.
US07648801B2 Redox shuttle for overdischarge protection in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
A battery of series-connected rechargeable lithium ion cells each of which contains a negative electrode; a negative electrode current collector; a positive electrode; a positive electrode current collector; and an electrolyte comprising charge carrying medium, lithium salt and cyclable redox chemical shuttle. The negative electrode has a larger i rreversible first cycle capacity loss than that of the positive electrode, and is driven to a potential above that of the positive electrode if the cell is discharged to a state of cell reversal. The shuttle has an electrochemical potential above the positive electrode maximum normal operating potential, and prevents the negative electrode potential from reaching even higher and more destructive positive values during overdischarge. The current collector has a lithium alloying potential below the negative electrode minimum normal operating potential. The battery chemically limits or eliminates cell damage due to repeated overdischarge, and may operate without electronic overdischarge protection circuitry.
US07648800B1 Positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrode cell and non-aqueous electrode cell using the same
The present invention enables to obtain both of a cycle characteristic and a high load characteristic. The present invention discloses a positive electrode active material containing lithium composite manganese oxide having a spinel structure for a non-aqueous electrolyte cell and a non-aqueous electrolyte cell using this material. The lithium composite manganese oxide having spinel structure has its primary particle diameter not less than 0.05 μm and not greater than 10 μm, forming an aggregate, and a specific surface measured by the BET method in a range not less than 0.2 m2/g and not greater than 2 m2/g.
US07648797B2 Unification type cap assembly containing protection circuit board and secondary battery comprising the same
An integral cap assembly comprising a top cap mounted as a base plate to an opening of a battery can and a cap subassembly including a protective circuit module and the like integrally mounted on the top cap, a method for manufacturing a secondary battery comprising the same, and a secondary battery manufactured thereby are disclosed. The cap assembly is provided as an integral member comprising the top cap acting as the base plate, and the cap subassembly having the protective circuit module provided thereon, thereby simplifying a manufacturing process of the battery while minimizing frequency of defective products. Additionally, the integral cap assembly is manufactured through insert injection molding, thereby providing notable advantages over the conventional technology.
US07648796B2 Battery pack and electronic equipment using the same
The present invention provides a battery pack which is capable of enhancing a short-circuit prevention effect, and electronic equipment using this battery pack. The battery pack 31 has a battery built in the case 32 and an output terminal 47 which is electrically connected to the battery and provided in such a manner as directed towards the outside of the case 32. The battery pack 31 has an output section 34 that is provided in orthogonal to a virtual plane including a mount reference plane for the electronic equipment (under surface 33B) of the case 32, with a space between the virtual plane and the output section 34 . The output section 34 is provided with an output terminal 47.
US07648795B2 Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes: a case body having a battery storing portion formed of a concave portion whose shape is approximately corresponding to an external shape of a battery unit and a sliding member slidably supported on a surface of the case body on the opposite side to the battery storing portion. The battery storing portion has a width corresponding to that of the battery unit, a length corresponding to a length of the battery unit, and a body-side connection terminal connected to a connection terminal of the battery unit. The sliding member includes one or more engagement claws penetrating through the case body, projecting to the inside of the battery storing portion, capable of being engaged with engagement convex portions provided in the battery unit, and a biasing member causing the claws to be biased away from the body-side connection terminal and engaged with the engagement convex portions.
US07648793B2 Fuel cell system comprising an assembly manifold having a connection block
A fuel cell system includes first and second fuel cell stacks which are juxtaposed to each other. An assembly manifold is attached to the first and second fuel cell stacks. A connection block is provided at a central position of the assembly manifold. A fuel gas supply port and a fuel gas discharge port are provided on a front surface of the connection block, and an oxygen-containing gas supply port and an oxygen-containing gas discharge port are provided on a back surface of the connection block. A fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas are equally supplied to each of the first and second fuel cell stacks.
US07648792B2 Disposable component on a fuel cartridge and for use with a portable fuel cell system
A portable cartridge that stores a fuel for use with a fuel cell system includes one or more disposable components for use by the fuel cell system. The disposable component may be included on a fuel cartridge, but used by a fuel cell system when the cartridge and a package that includes the system are coupled together. The disposable component may include: an inlet filter that regulates passage of gases and liquids into the fuel system, an outlet filter that cleans fuel cell system exhaust gases, a sensor on the inlet air stream to the fuel cell system; a sensor on the exhaust; a desiccant that sinks moisture from within the fuel cell system package; or a fuel absorbent that soaks fuel between connectors on the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell system.
US07648791B2 Fuel cell and cell fastening pins
A fuel cell has a unit cell in which a membrane electrode assembly, in which a pair of electrodes are provided on either side of an electrolyte membrane, is provided between a first separator and a second separator. Pin insertion holes are respectively provided in a plurality of portions in an outer periphery of each of the first and the second separators, and the pin insertion holes of the first separators are respectively coaxial with those of the second separator. A leg portion of a cell fastening pin made of resin is inserted through each pair of the coaxial pin insertion holes of the first and the second separators. The unit cell is fastened by fitting a flange portion formed at an end of the leg portion to the first separator, and fitting a hook portion formed at the other end of the leg portion to the second separator.
US07648790B2 Electrolyte for fuel cell and fuel cell employing the same
An electrolyte for a fuel cell comprising a proton conducting resin comprising a backbone comprising a polyurea resin and side chains that comprise an active hydrogen group at a terminal and a fuel cell employing the same are provided. The electrolyte has improved proton conductivity, heat resistance, and mechanical strength.
US07648789B2 Fuel cell gas separator plate with paths of electrically conductive material of a silver-glass composite
A fuel cell gas separator (212) for use between two solid oxide fuel cells (210) and having a separator body with an anode-facing side and a cathode-facing side and with paths (234) of electrically conductive material therethrough in an electrode-contacting zone (236). In a first aspect, the electrically conductive material comprises a silver-glass composite, preferably containing 15 to 30 wt % glass. In this aspect the material of the separator body is preferably zirconia and the silver is commercially pure, a silver mixture or a silver alloy. In another aspect, the material of the separator body is zirconia, the electrically conductive material comprises silver or a silver-based material, a coating of nickel is formed on the electrode-contacting zone (236) on the anode-facing side preferably with an undercoating of Ag, and a coating of Ag—Sn alloy is formed on the electrode-contacting zone (236) on the cathode side.
US07648788B2 Membrane-electrode assembly for fuel cell and fuel cell using same
The present invention provides a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell, having improved durability for repeated start-stop operation. The present invention provides;A membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell having: a cathode catalyst layer containing a cathode catalyst comprising platinum or a platinum alloy, conductive carbon material supporting said cathode catalyst, and a proton conductive polymer electrolyte; a solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and an anode catalyst layer containing an anode catalyst, conductive carbon material supporting said anode catalyst, and a proton conductive polymer electrolyte; wherein average thickness (Ya) of said anode catalyst layer is smaller than average thickness (Yc) of said cathode catalyst layer.
US07648785B2 Clean power system
One aspect of the invention relates to a clean power generation system in which an internal combustion engine is operated to produce shaft power and an exhaust stream. The exhaust stream is processed by a fuel cell. Fluctuations in power demand are met, at least in part, by increasing or decreasing power output from the fuel cell and/or power uptake or output from a power storage device. The engine can operate at a relatively constant rate, providing a steady exhaust stream, which facilitates pollution control and fuel cell operation. According to another aspect of the invention, the exhaust of an engine is treated with a fuel cell having an electrolyte that conducts protons. In addition to removing pollutants from the exhaust while generating useful power, the fuel cell can provide a supply of low acidity water. The water can be used in the fuel reformer.
US07648783B2 Cadmium tin oxide multi-layer laminate and producing method thereof
A cadmium tin oxide (Cd1−xSnxO) multi-layer laminate is disclosed. The laminate comprises: a substrate; and a layer of Cd1−xSnxO which is not an epitaxial structure; wherein, the composition of Sn/(Cd+Sn) is 1˜20%. The method for producing the Cd1−xSnxO multi-layer laminate is also described here. The method comprises steps of: (a) providing metal or oxide targets for sputtering films of Cd1−xSnxO; and (b) sputtering films of Cd1−xSnxO from the targets onto the substrate; wherein the composition of Sn/(Cd+Sn) is 1˜20%.
US07648781B2 Hard films and sputtering targets for the deposition thereof
For superior wear resistance to conventional TiN hard films and TiAlN hard films, a hard film contains (Zr1-a, Hfa) (C1-xNx), wherein “a” and “x” are the atomic ratios of Hf and N, respectively, and satisfy the following conditions: 0.05≦a≦0.4 and 0≦x≦1. Another hard film contains (Zr1-a-b, Hfa, Mb) (C1-xNx), wherein M is at least one of W and Mo; and “a”, “b”, and “x” are the atomic ratios of Hf, M, and N, respectively, and satisfy the following conditions: 0≦1−a−b, 0≦a, 0.03≦b≦0.35, and 0≦x≦1.
US07648779B2 Electroluminescent devices with low work function anode
Disclosed are organic electroluminescent devices employing materials of a low reduction potential in a layer functioning hole-injection. The organic electroluminescent devices may employ an anode material having a relatively low work function. Aluminum may be used in anode. During the operation, the organic electroluminescent devices may form a virtual electrode in their internal area, which enhances injection of carriers from a nearby electrode. Use of aluminum in the anode helps construction of cathode-emission organic electroluminescent devices.
US07648777B2 Blue electroluminescent compound and organic electroluminescent device using the same
An organic electroluminescent compound and an organic electroluminescent device using the same. The organic electroluminescent compound having Formula 1 can be used as blue electroluminescent compound. The organic electroluminescent device using the organic electroluminescent compound having Formula 1 has improved luminous efficiency and color purity.
US07648776B2 Multi-layered brazing sheet
A multi-layered brazing sheet with improved long life corrosion resistance achieved by balancing the Zn, Cu, Mn, Si and Mg content of the core and interliner alloy. The brazing sheet has a core of a 3xxx alloy, an inner braze cladding of a 4xxx alloy, and between core and inner braze cladding an interliner of a 3xxx alloy. The 3xxx alloy of the core has 0.55-1.0 wt % Cu, 0.7-1.8 wt % Mn, <0.3 wt % Mg, <0.4 wt % Zn. The 3xxx alloy of the interliner has <0.25 wt % Cu, 0.5-1.5 wt % Mn, <0.3 wt % Mg, 0.1-5.0 wt % Zn. A 1xxx or 7xxx alloy could be used for the interliner instead of the 3xxx alloy.
US07648774B2 Ferrite thin film, method of manufacturing the same and electromagnetic noise suppressor using the same
An electromagnetic noise suppressor including a ferrite film is formed by regularly arranging constituents such as magnetized grains or one analogous to that. In the ferrite film, the constituents have at least one of the uniaxial anisotropy and the multiaxial anisotropy. The ferrite film has the magnetic anisotropy or the magnetic isotropy. The ferrite film is formed by a plating method in the presence of a magnetic field.
US07648771B2 Thermal stabilization and processing behavior of block copolymer compositions by blending, applications thereof, and methods of making same
A blended composition of unsaturated block copolymer with improved thermal stability and processing behavior includes at least one unsaturated block copolymer; and a compatibilizer selected from the group consisting of (1) high melt flow rate homopolymers or copolymers; (2) styrene-ethylenepropylene-styrene (SEPS); (3) ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); (4) styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), or styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) block copolymers; (5) single site catalyzed polyolefins, such as metallocene catalyzed and constrained geometry polyolefins; (6) amorphous poly alpha olefin homopolymer and copolymers; and (7) a combination of such.
US07648769B2 Coated article with low-E coating having absorbing layer designed for desirable bluish color at off-axis viewing angles
An absorbing layer of a low-E coating is designed to cause the coating to have a more bluish color at normal and/or certain off-axis viewing angles. In certain example embodiments, the metallic or substantially metallic absorbing layer (e.g., NiCr) is located in the middle section of the layer stack and has been found to unexpectedly provide desirable bluish glass side reflective color for the coated article at certain off-axis viewing angles (e.g., at a 45 degree off-axis viewing angle). In certain example embodiments, the absorbing layer is provided between first and second nitride inclusive or based layers in order to reduce or prevent oxidation thereof during heat treatment thereby permitting predictable coloration to be achieved following the heat treatment. Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windows, other types of windows, or in any other suitable application.
US07648768B2 Hybrid coating stack
A coating includes a functional coating, such as a solar control coating having at least one metal layer. A topcoat is formed over at least a portion of the functional coating. The topcoat includes a first topcoat layer having a thickness in the range of 0.5 QWOT to 1.5 QWOT with respect to a reference wavelength of 550 nm and a first refractive index, and a second topcoat layer having a thickness in the range of 0.5 QWOT to 1.5 QWOT with respect to a reference wavelength of 550 nm and a second refractive index different from the first refractive index.
US07648767B2 Material composition for nano- and micro-lithography
A material composition, which is used as a liquid resist, includes a first component comprising a monomer portion and at least one cationically polymerizable functional group, and a crosslinker reactive with the first component and comprising at least three cationically polymerizable functional groups. The material composition also includes a cationic photoinitiator. Upon exposure to UV light, the material composition crosslinks via cure to form a cured resist film that is the reaction product of the first component, the crosslinker, and the cationic photoinitiator. An article includes a substrate layer and a resist layer formed on the substrate layer from the material composition.
US07648763B2 Security element and method for production thereof
The invention relates to an object, in particular a security element for security papers, bank notes, identity card or the like, as well as a security paper and a document of value with such a security element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing the object, in particular the security element or the security paper and the document of value with such a security element. The method in particular serves for manufacturing a precious-metal-coloured, preferably gold-coloured coating on a substrate.
US07648760B2 Microstructure and method of manufacturing the same
In a method of manufacturing a microstructure, an aluminum member having an aluminum substrate and a micropore-bearing anodized layer present on a surface of the aluminum substrate is subjected at least to, in order, a pore-ordering treatment which involves performing one or more cycles of a step that includes a first film dissolution treatment for dissolving 0.001 to 20 wt % of a material constituting the anodized layer and an anodizing treatment which follows the first film dissolution treatment; and a second film dissolution treatment for dissolving the anodized layer, thereby obtaining the microstructure having micropores formed on a surface thereof. This method enables a microstructure having an ordered array of pits to be obtained in a short period of time.
US07648759B2 Compact carbon fiber composite material
A carbon fiber composite material compact contains less of expensive carbon fibers, and the compact can therefore be used for general purposes which do not require highly superior physical properties. The carbon fiber composite material compact is produced by staking a first carbon fiber layer, a core layer, a second carbon fiber layer so as to form a laminate, and then compacting the laminate while impregnating an impregnable resin therein.
US07648754B2 UV resistant multilayered cellular confinement system
The present disclosure generally relates to a polymeric cellular confinement system which can be filled with soil, concrete, aggregate, earth materials, and the like. More specifically, the present disclosure concerns a cellular confinement system characterized by improved durability against damage generated by UV light, humidity, and aggressive soils, or combinations thereof.
US07648752B2 Inverse textured web
A composite web adapted for use as a component in a disposable absorbent article is disclosed. The composite web comprises a first fibrous layer and a second layer, the first and second layers each comprising a body-facing side and a garment-facing side and are disposed in a face to face relationship to form a laminate. The first fibrous layer comprises a fibrous web of randomly oriented fibers with respect to an X-Y plane, and a plurality of discrete regions of fiber reorientation at least on the body-facing side thereof, and a plurality of fibers having portions reoriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X-Y plane and extending toward the garment-facing side.
US07648750B2 Flexible molded end cap cushion
A cushion apparatus that may be advantageously utilized as an end cap for packaging shock sensitive products is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the cushion apparatus includes a base member having one or more side walls having inner product bearing surfaces defining a product receiving cavity. The product receiving cavity has an open bottom end through which the product is received and an opposing top end. An axial deflection member is disposed over the top end of the receiving cavity. The axial deflection member is an arc-shaped elastic material member arching over the top end of the product receiving cavity. In one embodiment, the cushion apparatus further includes multiple radial deflection members extending radially from the base member to define a multi-sided bearing support perimeter having multiple corners.
US07648741B2 Forming a patterned metal layer using laser induced thermal transfer method
A method of forming a pattern of electrical conductors on a receiving substrate (110) comprises forming metal nanoparticles of a conductive material. A donor substrate (45) is formed. A layer of release material (75) is deposited on a first side of the donor substrate. The metal nanoparticles are deposited on the release material. The metal nanoparticulate layer are placed in contact with the receiving substrate. A pattern is written on a sandwich formed by the donor substrate and the receiving substrate, causing metal nanoparticles from the nanoparticulate layer (90) to anneal and transfer to the receiving substrate to form the pattern of electrical conductors on the receiving substrate.
US07648735B2 Oxidized zirconium on a porous structure for bone implant use
A composition, a medical implant constructed from the composition, and a method of making the composition are described. The composition is a composite material, comprising a porous, reticulated, open cell network having at least part of its surface coated with blue-black or black oxidized zirconium.
US07648727B2 Methods for manufacturing a coated stent-balloon assembly
Methods of coating a stent subsequent to mounting or crimping of the stent on a balloon of a catheter assembly are disclosed. One method includes forming a sacrificial layer on a balloon of a catheter assembly; followed by mounting a stent on the balloon, the stent including struts separated by gaps; followed by forming a stent coating on the stent; and followed by removal of the sacrificial layer. Another method includes mounting a stent on a balloon, the stent including struts separated by gaps; followed by forming a sacrificial layer on the balloon in the areas of the gaps between struts of the stent; followed by forming a coating on the stent; and followed by removing the sacrificial layer, wherein the coating remains on an outer surface of the stent.
US07648726B2 Coated implants and methods of coating
A method including forming a first coating layer derived from an alkoxide on a substrate having a dimension suitable for an implant and forming a second coating layer on the first coating layer that promotes osseointegration. An apparatus comprising a substrate having a dimension suitable as a medical or dental implant and a coating on a surface of a first coating layer derived from an alkoxide and a second coating layer that promotes osseointegration.
US07648722B2 Color-changing cereal and method
A ready-to-eat cereal that is capable of changing color upon immersion into an aqueous medium such as milk. The cereal base has a non-dispersible first color. The cereal base has a coating comprising cornstarch, powdered sugar, and optionally food coloring. The coating is of a second color different from the first color and is in a quantity sufficient to obscure the first color. Preferably, glycerine is used to adhere the coating to the cereal base.Two methods of making the ready-to-eat cereal of the invention are also provided.
US07648720B2 Dietary fiber delivery system
A delivery system and method for delivering soluble dietary fibers in a chewable tablet form which is palatable and demonstrates a high degree of consumer acceptability.
US07648719B2 Method for oxygen treatment of unsaturated carbon compounds, novel epoxy-structured material obtained by the method, apparatus for carrying out the method and a therapeutic composition using the material
Method for oxygen treatment of liquid unsaturated carbon compounds with carbon number between 6 and 26 wherein the material is placed in a reaction chamber (11), a mixture ozone and oxygen is passed through the material, and by controlling the flow rate of the gas mixture through the material the temperature of the reaction is controlled to remain below a predetermined maximum value being 100° C. As a result of the reaction a novel material is obtained which has an epoxy-structure, has a higher density and smaller viscosity than the starting material, it has excellent burning properties and can be used as a limited rate source of oxygen. The apparatus for carrying of the method comprises an oxygen source, and ozonizer (6), a reaction chamber (11) for containing the liquid starting material, a gas pump (13) for removing the gas from the reaction chamber, and a temperature control system. An expedient field of application for the novel material is a therapeutic composition that facilitates natural metabolism of cells that comprises hydroxy proline and a neutral carrier material, wherein the amount of the material is below 20% and the amount of hydroxy proline is below 10%.
US07648718B2 Composition comprising the extract of crude drug complex having neuroprotective activity for preventing and treating stroke and neurodegenerative diseases
The present invention relates to a composition comprising an extract of crude drug complex comprising Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Acanthopanax senticosus HARMS, Angelica sinensis DIELS, Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI, prevention and treatment of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases such apoplexy, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Pick's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and senile dementia.
US07648713B2 Methods of using in situ hydration of hydrogel articles for sealing or augmentation of tissue or vessels
Pharmaceutically acceptable hydrogel polymers of natural, recombinant or synthetic origin, or hybrids thereof, are introduced in a dry, less hydrated, or substantially deswollen state and rehydrate in a physiological environment to undergo a volumetric expansion and to affect sealing, plugging, or augmentation of tissue, defects in tissue, or of organs. The hydrogel polymers may deliver therapeutic entities by controlled release at the site. Methods to form useful devices from such polymers, and to implant the devices are provided.
US07648711B2 Dimethicone-containing sustained release injection formulation
A sustained release formulation by using dimeticone as the dispersion medium, which includes active ingredient (e.g., drugs against parasites, insecticides, NSAIDs, antibiotics, sex hormone like agents or oily soluble vitamins) and dimeticone as the medium. Suitable stabilizer, antioxidant, local analgesics and material for sustained release may be added. The formulation is bio-compatible, stable and injectable.
US07648710B2 Formulation containing phosphate derivatives of electron transfer agents
There is provided an emulsion composition for therapeutic administration comprising: (a) at least one mono-electron transfer agent phosphate derivative; (b) at leas tone di-electron transfer agent phosphate derivative; wherein the amount of mono-electron transfer agent phosphate derivatives is no less than equimolar to the amount of di-electron transfer agent phosphate; and (c) a suitable carrier.
US07648709B2 Allergy vaccine composition, production method thereof and use of same in allergy treatment
The present invention relates to the field of Immunology, specifically with the branch of Immuno-Allergy and in particular with the use of adjuvant or carrier compounds, capable of modulating the immune response to allergens. The technical objective that is pursued is to obtain a pharmaceutical preparation of therapeutic or prophylactic use using bacterial proteoliposomes, which transform the allergic response Th2 and IgE when being applied in allergic individuals, toward a protector response Th1; as well as it is able to prevent the appearance and the development of allergies in individuals non-allergic yet. The vaccine composition consists of proteoliposomes derived from Gram-negative bacteria coupled to allergens and optionally contains other adjuvants or antigens. The method for its preparation and an immunization scheme of two doses are provided.
US07648708B2 Streptococcus pneumoniae proteins and nucleic acid molecules
Protein antigens from Streptococcus pneumoniae are disclosed, together with nucleic acid sequences encoding them. Their use in vaccines and in screening methods is also described.
US07648707B2 Compositions and methods for treatment of microbial infections
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treatment of microbial infections and for the enhancement of resistance to infection. The invention comprises administration of an effective amount of bacterial lysate compositions for the treatment of pathological conditions of microbial infections. The present invention can also be used to enhance the immune system to prevent infections by the administration of an effective amount of the compositions.
US07648704B2 Diagnosis and treatment of human dormancy syndrome
New methods for diagnosis of human dormancy syndrome are provided. Human dormancy syndrome is characterized by elevated serum ratio of rT3/fT3 compared to a population of normal subjects from which subjects suffering from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, obesity, dementias including Alzheimer's Disease and related dormancy conditions are excluded, and the presence of one or more findings related to reduced activity including torpor, chronic fatigue, insulin resistance, dementias, obesity and the like. Treatment of human dormancy syndrome is directed toward increasing fT3 levels or decreasing rT3 levels, or both, using pharmaceutical and/or behavioral methods. Other conditions that are associated with HDS can also be treated using T3 therapy, with or without specific psychological, behavioral or pharmaceutical therapies.
US07648702B2 Stable aqueous formulation of a soluble TNF receptor and arginine
The present invention relates to an aqueous pharmaceutical composition suitable for long-term storage of polypeptides containing an Fc domain of an immunoglobulin, methods of manufacture, methods of administration and kits containing same.
US07648698B2 Vaccine for veterinary and human medicine prophylaxis and therapy
The present invention relates to a novel vaccine, its use for immunoprophylaxis and/or the treatment of candidamycoses in human and veterinary medicine as well as methods for its preparation, wherein said vaccine consists of the combination of the Candida strains a1) Candida albicans CCM 8355 a2) Candida glabrata CCM 8356 a3) Candida krusei CCM 8357 and a4) an immunomudulating Propionibacterium acnes strain, and optionally pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, such as carriers, wherein the ratio of the components a1-a4 in the end product is a1:a2:a3:a4 is 10-20:10-20:10-20:40-70.
US07648694B2 Method for preparing SSZ-26/33 zeolites using novel structure directing agents
The present invention is directed to a process for preparing zeolites belonging to the SSZ-26/33 family of zeolites using novel nitrogen-based structure directing agents. The process for preparing the SSZ-26/33 family of zeolites involves using a structure directing agent selected from the group consisting of 1,5-bis(N,N-dimethylcyclohexylammonium)pentane dications, 1,4-bis(N-cyclohexylpiperidinium)butane dications and 1,4-bis(N-cyclopentylpiperidinium)butane dications.
US07648690B2 Methods of making substitutionally carbon-doped crystalline Si-containing materials by chemical vapor deposition
Methods of making Si-containing films that contain relatively high levels of substitutional dopants involve chemical vapor deposition using trisilane and a dopant precursor. Extremely high levels of substitutional incorporation may be obtained, including crystalline silicon films that contain 2.4 atomic % or greater substitutional carbon. Substitutionally doped Si-containing films may be selectively deposited onto the crystalline surfaces of mixed substrates by introducing an etchant gas during deposition.
US07648688B2 Method of separating carbon dioxide from gas mixture using biopolymer
Disclosed herein is a method of separating carbon dioxide from a gas mixture using a biopolymer, including: introducing hemocyte or extrapallial fluid, extracted from shells, into a reactor filled with 1 L of a solution containing a calcium source, and then dissolving the hemocyte or extrapallial fluid in the solution to form a mixed solution; and mixing carbon dioxide or a gas mixture containing carbon dioxide into the mixed solution to separate carbon dioxide from the gas mixture.
US07648687B1 Method of purifying barium nitrate aqueous solution
Purification techniques have been developed for ceramic powder precursors, e.g., barium nitrate. These techniques can be performed using one or more of the following operations: (1) removal of impurities by precipitation or coprecipitation and separation using a nonmetallic-ion-containing strong base, e.g., tetraalkylammonium hydroxides; (2) reduction of higher oxidation-state-number oxymetal ions and subsequent precipitation as hydroxides that are separated from the solution; and (3) use of liquid-liquid exchange extraction procedures to separate certain impurities.
US07648686B2 Actively cooled exothermic reactor
A catalytic reactor including a heat exchanger and a method are provided for transferring heat to a coolant and a reaction fluid. The catalytic reactor includes a reaction fluid flow path, a reaction region, and a coolant flow path. A reaction fluid catalytically reacts at a surface area in the reaction region thereby generating heat. The heat is transferred to a coolant and the reaction fluid based on the coolant and reaction fluid convective heat transfer coefficients respectively. In one embodiment, the ratio of the coolant convective heat transfer coefficient to the reaction fluid heat transfer coefficient is at least 5:1.
US07648682B2 Wick systems for complexed gas technology
The invention relates to an improvement in apparatus and process for effecting storage and delivery of a gas. The storage and delivery apparatus is comprised of a storage and dispensing vessel containing a medium capable of storing a gas and permitting delivery of the gas stored in the medium from the vessel, the improvement comprising: (a) a reactive liquid having Lewis acidity or basicity; (b) a gas liquid complex in a reversible reacted state formed under conditions of pressure and temperature by contacting the gas having Lewis acidity with the reactive liquid having Lewis basicity or the gas having Lewis basicity with the reactive liquid having Lewis acidity; (c) a non-reactive wick medium holding and dispersing the reactive liquid and the gas liquid complex therein.
US07648680B2 Method for accessing the contents of a closed vessel containing a specimen retrieval device
Method for obtaining a fluid sample from a collection device which includes assembling cap and fluid-holding vessel components of the collection device to contain and isolate a specimen retrieval device adjacent a side wall of the vessel. The position of the specimen retrieval device within the collection device is such that the specimen retrieval device does not substantially interfere with the movement of a fluid transfer device into or out of the assembled collection device. The fluid transfer device is used to draw and remove a fluid substance from the collection device for analysis.
US07648676B2 Process and apparatus for treating implants comprising soft tissue
The present invention is directed to the field of implants that include soft tissue. More particularly, the present invention is directed to processes for treating implants that include soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments, and to implants produced by such processes. The present invention is also directed to processes and apparatus for improved processing of implants that include soft tissue, by applying kinematic restraint, preferably tension, to the implant or specific portions of the implants during the treatment, and to implants produced by such processes and apparatus. The present techniques yield soft tissue implants having superior structural, mechanical, and/or biochemical integrity.
US07648672B2 Process and system employing generation of controlled furnace atmospheres without the use of separate gas supplies or stand-alone atmosphere generators
In a system for processing metal, a furnace is provided which receives the metal being processed. At least one heating burner is provided in the furnace together with at least one atmosphere burner of substantially a same construction as the heating burner. An exhaust of the atmosphere burner at least partially provides an atmosphere within the furnace for the metal processing. An exhaust of the heating burner is separate from the exhaust of the atmosphere burner. A fuel feed for the atmosphere burner and a fuel feed for the heating burner are each separately controllable.
US07648670B2 Apparatus and method for inverting a stop flange on a tamper-indicating closure
An apparatus for inverting the stop flange on a tamper-indicating closure, from an axially outwardly oriented position as molded to an axially inwardly oriented position for use, includes a support base for supporting the closure such that the stop flange as molded is spaced from and oriented away from the support base. A pedestal is movably carried by the support base at a position spaced from the support base. A locator ring is carried by the pedestal and movable with the pedestal to engage the stop flange on a closure carried by the support base and to bend the stop flange radially inwardly. An inversion ring moves through the locator ring to engage and invert the stop flange that is bent radially inwardly by the locator ring.
US07648668B2 Apparatus for manufacturing pneumatic tires
An apparatus for manufacturing a pneumatic tire including a rigid core for forming a green tire on an outer face and a vulcanizing mold which can transport the green tire together with the rigid core such that the vulcanizing mold is closed to form a vulcanization space for sealing and storing the green tire between the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core so that the green tire is vulcanized in the vulcanization space, an annular movable seal supported by either one of the vulcanizing mold or the rigid core, and an urging means for urging the movable seal from the one of the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core that supports the annular movable seal toward a surface of the other of the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core, the movable seal being urged by the urging means toward the surface of the other of the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core so as to prevent generation of a gap between the vulcanizing mold and the rigid core when the vulcanizing mold is closed, and to absorb a change in shape of the rigid core upon vulcanization of the green tire.
US07648665B2 Substrate-supported process for manufacturing microfibrous fuel cells
The present invention relates to a substrate-supported process for continuous and automated manufacturing of microfibrous fuel cells and other electrochemical cells. Specifically, a removable substrate layer is formed around an inner current collector, followed by sequentially coating multiple structure layers, such as the inner catalyst layer, the membrane separator, and the outer catalyst layer, over such removable substrate layer, and subsequent removing such removable substrate layer, so as to form a lumen around the inner current collector, to allow passage of fluid therethrough. The removable substrate layer preferably comprises a water-soluble polymer, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), or polyethylene glycol (PEG).
US07648660B2 Continuous coating process for composite membranes
A continuous process for coating ePTFE with polymer wherein a first coating of fluoropolymer-containing liquid medium is formed on a moving elongate substrate, elongate ePTFE is contacted with the coated substrate to form an inchoate composite structure, and a final coating of fluoropolymer-containing liquid medium is formed on the inchoate composite structure.
US07648657B2 In Sm oxide sputtering target
A sputtering target which is formed of a sintered body including an oxide main components of which are In and Sm. A sputtering target in which a sintered body of an oxide including In and Sm as main components is doped with at least one element with an atomic valency of positive tetravalency or higher in an amount of 20 at. % or less relative to the total sum of all cation elements.
US07648656B2 Process of making a visible polarizing glass
The invention is directed to a silver-containing polarizing boroaluminosilicate glass composition that has been doped with a noble metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Os, Ir, Rh and Ru, including mixtures thereof, to nucleate and precipitate silver ions to silver metal without the need for a reducing atmosphere step. The invention is further directed to a method for making the glass composition of the invention. Using the composition and method of the invention, one can prepare a glass having a selected null transmission range.
US07648648B2 Anti-stokes fluorescent material composition
The invention relates to anti-Stokes fluorescent material compositions which, upon excitation by IR radiation, emits IR radiation without significant quantities of visible blue light being emitted at the same time, and which are therefore suitable as invisible security marks.
US07648647B2 Polymer/liquid crystal composite and liquid crystal element
The invention is generally related to a polymer/liquid crystal composite, which includes a liquid crystal material which exhibits an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase in the temperature range of approximately 5° C. or more in the elevated temperature process but does not exhibit a nematic phase; and a polymer, and which is used for an element driven in a state of the optically isotropic liquid crystal phase.
US07648646B2 LC material with homeotropic alignment
The invention relates to a liquid crystal (LC) material that aligns homeotropically on substrates with high or low surface energy.
US07648640B2 Directional microporous diffuser and directional sparging
A method for treating contaminates includes delivering a stream of a fluid to a directional microporous diffuser that has a sidewall with microscopic openings and has a partitioned interior region to effect discharge of microbubbles from less than the entire sidewall portion of the directional microporous diffuser at any particular interval of time. The directional microporous diffuser described include an elongated member providing the sidewall, the sidewall defining an interior portion of said member and coupled to the first inlet port and a partition member that divides the interior of the elongated member into plural, mutually isolated regions. End caps are disposed to seal ends of the directional microporous diffuser.
US07648635B2 Method and device for the extraction of substances from liquids or solids dispersions
In a method for extracting ingredients, particularly foreign substances, from liquids or solids dispersions by using compressed extraction agents such as, for instance, supercritical or liquid carbon dioxide, the liquid or dispersion is applied as a thin film in a pressure-tight reactor and the surface of the thin film is treated with the extraction agent, particularly carbon dioxide, wherein the surface of the thin film is constantly renewed over at least a portion of the layer thickness of the thin film by mechanically acting on said liquid or dispersion.
US07648632B2 Device for receiving and separating chips and cooling liquid collection on machine tools (overflow)
A device is disclosed for receiving and separating chips and coolant collecting on machine tools in which unfiltered coolant is prevented from penetrating tanks for filtered coolant in the event a receiving tank overflows. This is achieved in that holders, whose projecting ends, which are directed downward, extend into an overflow channel, are tightly attached externally to the wall of the receiving tank. The overflow channel is guided around the device at a level below the top edge of the receiving tank and is removably held on the holders. The overflow channel tightly covers tanks located beneath it having filtered coolant. The inner edge of the overflow channel neighboring the receiving tank lies at a higher level than the outer edge of the overflow channel, which is further away from the receiving tank, and at least one outlet device is provided in the bottom region of the overflow channel.
US07648630B2 Underwater filtration operator
An underwater filtration system or operator which can be floated on and suspended in a river, lake, pond or other water body to filter water from the water body. The underwater filtration operator may be electrically charged with simultaneous introduction of continuous forced air to remove impurities from the water body and increase filtering efficiency and the system includes a split housing having a selected configuration and divided into one or more filtration units, each of which includes a filter medium or mediums for filtering water from the water body. A pump is provided in the interior of the system housing for receiving the filtered water from the filtration units and pumping the filtered water to a collection tank or dispenser, directly to an end user or to a reverse-osmosis water filtration unit for further filtration. This unique operator allows selected individual filtration compartments to be backwashed while other filtration compartments are producing filtered water without the necessity of an external clean water storage tank.
US07648626B2 Process for cracking asphaltene-containing feedstock employing dilution steam and water injection
A process for reducing the rate of increase in pressure drop across a furnace convection section, the furnace convection section having a temperature profile. The process includes the steps of establishing a ratio of total dilution H2O to feedstock for the system, injecting a first portion of the total dilution H2O in the form of water into the convection section of the furnace, injecting a second portion of the dilution H2O in the form of steam into the convection section of the furnace, wherein a ratio of dilution H2O in the form of water to dilution H2O in the form of steam is established and varying the temperature profile across the convection section of the furnace by adjusting periodically the ratio of dilution H2O in the form of water to dilution H2O in the form of steam. A similar technique is conducted during decoking to remove asphaltene coke starting from the lower convection section upward. This upward decoking is accomplished by initially using more H2O in the form of water, then as the decoke proceeds reducing H2O in the form of water while increasing H2O in the form of steam.
US07648623B2 Protection of reinforcing steel
This assembly provides a flexible method of attaching discrete sacrificial anodes to exposed steel in concrete construction to achieve an advantageous distribution of protection current. It comprises a base metal [1] that is less noble than steel, a conductor [6] connected to the base metal, a tying point [2] formed at least in part by the conductor, and a tie [4] that passes through the tying point [2] and around the steel [5]. The tie is used to physically tie the anode between steel bars prior to placing the concrete and in the process to electrically connect the anode to the steel. The tying point is open to facilitate adjusting the tie. The separation of the tie from an anode assembly with a tying point allows the tie to be selected during installation when the properties required by the application are known.
US07648619B2 Hydrogel-driven micropump
A hydrogel-driven micropump, comprising: two fluid chambers; a fluid channel, connecting the two fluid chambers; a first substrate plate and a second substrate plate, which are glass wafers produced by micromechanical working, each having accommodation chambers which are filled in hydrogel which are placed next to the two fluid chambers and connected by inward extending bridges, with electric terminals leading to the accommodation chambers; a middle substrate, sandwiched between the first and second substrate plates and made by a bulk micromachining process, having separated accommodation chambers close to ends thereof. A separating block is placed between the accommodation chambers. The middle substrate between the first and second substrate plates forms a micropump body. All of the substrates are separated by membranes. The accommodation chambers for electrophoretic fluid are located between the membranes and the first and second substrate plates, respectively, and insulating material. An electrophoretic fluid channel is left between the membranes and the bridges. The fluid channel is placed within the middle substrate between the membranes. The first substrate plate has through holes from outside to the two fluid chambers, allowing fluid to be injected.
US07648615B2 Method of smoking/burning type volume reduction treatment and apparatus therefor
In the operation of smoking/burning type volume reduction treatment apparatus (1), referring to view (A), charcoal carbonized layer (T2) is spread over powdery ceramic layer (T1) in the state of having negative ion air fed through air supply inlet (H). Further, sawdust layer (T3) is spread thereover, and thereafter treatment subject layer (V) is piled thereon. In a temporary burning region of the carbonized layer (T2), the powdery ceramic layer (T1) exerts not only heat storing action but also heat radiation action. Referring to view (B), the interior of the sawdust layer (T3) is altered into temporary carbonized layer (T3 1) and temporary dried layer (T3 2). As the temporary burning region slowly moves upward, an under side of the treatment subject layer (V) is altered into dried layer (V1) and further, carbonized layer (V2) shown in view (C) is formed. Thereafter, this carbonized layer (V2) catches fire, so that burning region (V3) is formed in layered form in the treatment subject layer (V). Thus, smoking/burning starts. Accordingly, there can be provided a method wherein a burning region is securely formed in the treatment subject within the apparatus (1).
US07648599B2 Method of preparing nickel titanium alloy for use in manufacturing instruments with improved fatigue resistance
A method of treating Nitinol to train the structure thereof to remain in the martensite state, including the steps of subjecting the Nitinol to a strain and while subjected to the strain, thermally cycling the Nitinol between a cold bath of about 0° C. to 10° C. and a hot bath of about 100° C. to 180° C. for a minimum of about five cycles.
US07648597B2 Method for manufacturing high tensile strength steel plate
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing high tensile strength steel plate having 570 MPa (N/mm2) or larger tensile strength and having also extremely superior balance of strength and toughness both before PWHT and after PWHT to that of the conventional steel plates, by specifically specifying the temperature-rising rate at the plate thickness center portion of a quenched and tempered material during tempering, and to be concrete, the method has the steps of: casting a steel consisting essentially of 0.02 to 0.18% C, 0.05 to 0.5% Si, 0.5 to 2.0% Mn, 0.005 to 0.1% Al, 0.0005 to 0.008% N, 0.03% or less P, 0.03% or less S, by mass, and balance of Fe and inevitable impurities; hot-rolling the cast steel without cooling the steel to the Ar3 transformation point or lower temperature, or after reheating the steel to the Ac3 transformation point or higher temperature, to a specified plate thickness; cooling the steel by direct quenching from the Ar3 transformation point or higher temperature, or by accelerated cooling, to 400° C. or lower temperature; and then tempering the steel, using a heating apparatus being installed directly connecting the manufacturing line containing a rolling mill and a direct-quenching apparatus or an accelerated cooling apparatus, to 520° C. or above of the maximum ultimate temperature at the plate thickness center portion at an average temperature-rising rate of 1° C./s or larger at the plate thickness center portion up to a specified tempering temperature between 460° C. and the Ac1 transformation point.
US07648594B2 Extruded aluminum alloy which excels in machinability, caulking properties, and wear resistance
Extruded aluminum alloy which excels in machinability, caulking properties, and wear resistance, the extruded aluminum alloy including 3.0 to 6.0 mass % of Si, 0.1 to 0.45 mass % of Mg, 0.01 to 0.5 mass % of Cu, 0.01 to 0.5 mass % of Mn, and 0.40 to 0.90 mass % of Fe, with the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities.
US07648593B2 Aluminum based alloy
An aluminum alloy comprising Al, Sc, Gd, Zr, and optionally Mg. The aluminum alloy is strengthened by an aluminum solid solution matrix and a dispersion of Al3X precipitate having an L12 structure where X comprises Sc, Gd and Zr. Mg is a preferred addition to the alloy containing Gd and Zr. The alloying additions control strengthening and coarsening kinetics of the alloy through control of diffusivity in the aluminum matrix and coherency strain of the Al3X precipitate.
US07648589B2 Energy absorbent material
A method for making a ductile and porous shape memory alloy (SMA) using spark plasma sintering, and an energy absorbing structure including a ductile and porous SMA are disclosed. In an exemplary structure, an SMA spring encompasses a generally cylindrical energy absorbing material. The function of the SMA spring is to resist the bulging of the cylinder under large compressive loading, thereby increasing a buckling load that the cylindrical energy absorbing material can accommodate. The SMA spring also contributes to the resistance of the energy absorbing structure to an initial compressive loading. Preferably, the cylinder is formed of ductile, porous and super elastic SMA. A working prototype includes a NiTi spring, and a porous NiTi cylinder or rod.
US07648580B2 Substrate processing method and substrate processing device
A processing tank 10 is divided into a washing section 15 and a drying section 30, a clearance is formed in the joint between the sections, and the clearance is communicated with by sink 29. In drying a substrate, the substrate is moved from the washing section to the drying section, a porous plate 28 is inserted into the lower region where the clearance is formed, and a drying gas is jetted against the substrate with the internal pressure of the drying section 30 kept higher than that of the sink 29 and the internal pressure of the washing section 15 kept lower than that of the drying section 30. In this case, it is preferable that the porous plate 28 is a punched plate in which plural small holes having predetermined diameters have been made. The above configuration provides a substrate processing method and a substrate processing device in which the drying gas can uniformly and stably be supplied to an assembly of plural substrates.
US07648576B2 Epitaxial wafer and method for producing same
After cleaning the front and back sides of a silicon wafer with a liquid SC-1 and liquid SC-2, the front and back sides of the silicon wafer are cleaned with an HF solution to be water-repellent surfaces. Following that, an epitaxial layer of silicon is formed on the front side. Consequently, there can be reduced stacking faults after formation of the epitaxial layer and occurrence of cloud on the back side. Alternatively, the front and back sides of a silicon wafer are cleaned with the liquid SC-1 and liquid SC-2, and then the back side of the silicon wafer is cleaned with an HF solution to be a water-repellent surface while the front side is cleaned with purified water to be a hydrophilic surf ace. Following that, an epitaxial layer of silicon is formed on the front side. Consequently, there can be reduced mounds on the front side and occurrence of cloud on the back side.
US07648575B2 Providing freezing and thawing resistance to cementitious compositions
An improved freeze-thaw durability cementitious composition is provided that uses at least partially degradable polymeric particles that are blended directly into the cementitious composition mixture. The degradable polymeric particles provide void spaces in the cementitious material matrix, and such void spaces act to increase freeze-thaw durability of the cementitious material.
US07648568B2 Hydrogen storage tank system based on gas adsorption on high-surface materials comprising an integrated heat exchanger
A gas storage system that stores a gas by cryo-adsorption on high surface materials. The gas storage system includes an outer container having insulated walls and a plurality of pressure vessels disposed therein. Each of the pressure vessels includes a high surface material. A manifold assembly distributes the gas under pressure to the pressure vessels where the gas is adsorbed by cryo-adsorption using the high surface materials. A cooling fluid is provided within voids between the pressure vessels to remove heat as the pressure vessels are being filled with the gas.
US07648567B2 Tank and material for storage of hydrogen gas
A hydrogen accumulation and storage material and a method of forming thereof are provided. The material comprises a plurality of various-sized and at least partially permeable to hydrogen microspheres bound together to form a rigid structure in which a diameter of the microspheres is reduced from a center of the structure towards edges of the structure. An outer surface of the rigid structure can be enveloped by a sealing layer, thereby closing interspherical spaces.
US07648565B2 Filter element
A filter element (102) comprising a filter media (106) and a membrane (114). The filter media (106) filters impurities (e.g., water and/or contaminants) from a liquid (e.g., a liquid fuel initially containing impurities) as the liquid passes from the inlet side (110) to the outlet side (112) of the filter element (102). The membrane (114) is permeable to air and impermeable to the liquid and the impurities. The membrane (114) is positioned to provide a bypass from the inlet side (110) to the outlet side (112) of the filter element whereby air intermixed with the fluid will not accumulate on the inlet side (110) of the filter element (102).
US07648563B2 Methods and apparatus for manufacturing and assembling a baghouse bag filter tensioning assembly
A method of assembling a baghouse bag filter tensioning assembly is provided. The assembly includes a compressible spring having a progressively increasing spring rate. The spring rate facilitates induction of a substantially constant spring tension over a range of pre-determined operating conditions. The method includes coupling the spring to a bag filter support frame and a bag filter. The method also includes compressing the spring into a pretensioned condition. The method further includes coupling a bag filter to a baghouse floor. The method also includes decompressing the spring such that a tension induced in the bag filter is substantially similar to the spring tension induced over a range of pre-determined operating conditions.
US07648561B2 Process and apparatus for use in recycling composite materials
A process for recycling composite materials includes the steps of feeding a quantity of composite material composed of at least one polymer and aluminum into at least one first reactor; heating the composite material in a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature sufficient to volatilize the at least one polymer and form a hydrocarbon by-product and aluminum in the at least one first reactor; feeding the aluminum free of the at least one polymer into a second reactor; and heating the aluminum in a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature sufficient to melt the aluminum in the second reactor.
US07648556B2 Method for manufacturing nickel nanoparticles
A method of manufacturing nickel nanoparticles and nickel nanoparticles thus produced, having superior dispersion stability and smooth surface, by reducing after forming nickel-hydrazine complex in a reverse microemulsion, where the method includes forming an aqueous solution including nickel precursor, surfactant, and hydrophobic solvent, forming nickel-hydrazine complex by adding a reducing agent that includes hydrazine to the mixture, and producing nickel nanoparticles by adding a reducing agent to the mixture that includes the nickel-hydrazine complex.
US07648553B2 Niobium alloy, sintered body thereof, and capacitor using the same
The present invention relates to a niobium alloy for capacitors comprising as an alloy component from 0.01 to 10 atom % of at least one element selected from the group consisting of the elements belonging to Groups 2 to 16 of the periodic table and further comprising diniobium mononitride crystals of from 0.1 to 70 mass %, wherein a powder of the niobium alloy has an average particle size of 0.05 to 5 μm and a BET specific surface area of 0.5 to 40 m2/g, a granulated product of the niobium alloy having an average particle size of 10 to 500 μm, a sintered body of the powder of the niobium alloy or granulated product thereof, a capacitor and a producing method thereof using the sintered body. A niobium capacitor using the powder of the niobium alloy of the present invention or a granulated product thereof has high capacitance and small leakage current value and is excellent in high-temperature property and heat resistance property.
US07648547B2 Honeycomb filter for clarifying exhaust gas
A honeycomb filter for purifying exhaust gases that is free from occurrence of cracks and coming-off of plugs and is superior in durability upon its use. The honeycomb filter includes a columnar body made of porous ceramics, which has a number of through holes placed in parallel with one another in the length direction with wall portion interposed therebetween, designed so that predetermined of the through holes are filled with plugs at one end of the columnar body, while the through holes not filled with the plugs at the one end are filled with plugs at the other end of the columnar body, and part of or the entire wall portion functions as a plug for collecting particles. A bending strength Fα (MPa) of the honeycomb filter and a length L (mm) of the plug in the length direction of the through hole satisfy the relationship of Fα×L≧30.
US07648541B2 Desulfurisation of fuel
A method of removing sulfur from a fuel supply stream for a fuel cell (1), which method comprises: (a) hydrogenating the fuel supply stream (1) by contacting it with a hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to convert sulfur-containing compounds in the fuel supply stream (1) into hydrogen sulfide; (b) removing the hydrogen sulfide to produce a desulfurised fuel stream; and (c) pre-reforming the desulfurised fuel stream to produce a fuel cell feed stream, wherein a portion of the fuel cell feed stream is processed to increase its hydrogen content to produce a hydrogen-enriched fuel stream which is used in step (a) as a source of hydrogen to hydrogenate the fuel supply stream (1).
US07648540B2 System for production of hydrogen with metal hydride and a method
A system for production, storage and dispensation of hydrogen gas from encapsulated metal hydride, the system employing sealed cylinders filled with water and rotatable containers stored with encapsulated metal hydride shells, slider base members with passages and slider paths disposed at the bottom end of the cylinders to receive the encapsulated metal hydride shells from the containers, baffles disposed both inside and outside periphery of the rotatable containers to rotate the containers that regulate and direct the flow of the encapsulated metal hydride shells on to the slider paths, movable hydraulic ramming members with disintegration sites and pistons disposed at the bottom end of the slider paths, to receive the encapsulated metal hydride shells and disintegrate the encapsulated metal hydride shells and disperse the broken shells into the cylinders filled with water, and a control panel disposed to regulate the flow rate and pressure of the generated hydrogen gas.
US07648535B2 Agent for coloring keratin fibres
The agent for coloring keratin fibers is free of chemical oxidants, is in the form of an aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic dye-containing preparation, and contains a combination of oxidation dyes and at least three direct dyes. The agent is characterized by a quantitative ratio of oxidation dyes to direct dyes equal to 5:1 to 0.5:1. A method of dyeing hair is described in which the agent is applied to hair and allowed to act on the hair for an acting time of 5 to 60 minutes without addition of chemical oxidants, so that air oxidation provides a uniform and stable coloration of the hair.
US07648530B2 Humeral head prosthesis
A shoulder joint prosthesis has an at least two-pieced humeral head prosthesis, comprising a calotte, or a joint head (3) and a fixing body (5, 7). The latter comprises a fixing piece (15), for detachable connection of the calotte and a mounting section (21), for the at least cement-free anchoring of the fixing device in the bone. The fixing body is preferably of two-piece embodiment, comprising a discoid positioning body (5) with a medial hole and an anchoring body (7), provided for fixing the positioning body (5) to the bone through the medial hole (19).
US07648525B2 Stent delivery system and indwelling method for stent
There is disclosed a stent delivery system includes a first cylindrical member capable of being inserted into a forceps channel of an endoscope and including a through hole having a central axis; a second cylindrical member inserted into the through hole of the first cylindrical member and capable of advancing/retreating with respect to the first cylindrical member, the second cylindrical member including a holding mechanism which holds a relative position of the second cylindrical member with respect to the forceps channel of the endoscope, and a stent which is attached between the first and second cylindrical members in a state where a diameter of the stent is reduced by the first cylindrical member and which expands when the first cylindrical member is removed.
US07648522B2 Bone fixation assembly and method
A bone fixation assembly and method of fixing bones including a fixation element having a head portion, a unitary coupling element and at least one locking element. The unitary coupling element includes a first bore adapted to slidably receive the head portion of the fixation element. A first locking element is adapted to secure the head portion in the first bore.
US07648518B2 Vascular embolic filter devices and methods of use therefor
Vascular embolic filtering devices and systems, as well as methods for using the same, are provided. The embolic filtering device includes a guide wire and an associated embolic filter for capturing emboli created during interventional procedures within a target vessel. Features of the subject devices and system provide for delivering of the guide wire independently of the filter, rotating of the guide wire with respect to the filter and limiting or preventing the proximal translation of the filter with respect to the guide wire. The embolic filter is attached to a sheath having either a shorter-length configuration or an extended-length configuration. The guide wire comprises a proximal stop mechanism engageable with the sheath to limit at least the proximal translation of the embolic filter. The subject embolic filter systems provide such guide wires and embolic filters, as well as and an embolic filter delivery, deployment and removal assembly. The methods of the present invention provide for the use of the subject devices and systems.
US07648513B2 Surgical manipulator for a telerobotic system
The invention is directed to manipulator assembly (2) for holding and manipulating a surgical instrument (14) in a telerobotic system. The assembly comprises a base (6) fixable by passive or power driven positioning devices to a surface, such as an operating table, and an instrument holder (4) movably mounted on the base. The instrument holder comprises a chassis (6) and an instrument support (70) movably mounted on the body and having an interface engageable with the surgical instrument to releasably mount the instrument to the instrument holder. A drive assembly (7) is operatively coupled to the instrument holder for providing the instrument with at least two degrees of freedom. The instrument holder is separable from the base and the drive assembly so that the holder can be sterilized. The assembly further includes a force sensing element (52) mounted distal to the holder and the drive assembly for detecting forces exerted on the surgical instrument and providing feedback to the surgeon. The assembly is attached to a remote center positioner (300) for constraining the instrument to rotate a point coincident with the entry incision and an inclinometer (350) for preventing gravitational forces acting on the system's mechanisms from being felt by the surgeon.
US07648511B2 Instrumentation and methods for use in implanting a cervical disc replacement device
Instrumentation for implanting an intervertebral disc replacement device includes a drill guide comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a guide member disposed at the distal end of the shaft and operable to engage an insertion plate that maintains first and second members of an intervertebral disc replacement device in registration with one another for insertion into an intervertebral disc space of a spinal column, wherein the guide member includes at least one guide bore operable to align with an area of a vertebral bone of the intervertebral disc space to which one of the first and second members of the intervertebral disc replacement device is to be attached.
US07648508B2 Bone plating implants, instruments and methods
Bone plating implants, instruments, systems and methods for fracture fixation are provided. The systems includes the instruments and implants comprising a trial component, handle, aiming block, bone plate, tissue spreader, drill guide, K-wire guide, monoaxial screw-locking inserts, polyaxial screw-locking inserts, cable plugs, K-wires, monoaxial screws and polyaxial screws. The methods include the use of the instruments and implants for either open or minimally invasive fracture fixation surgery.
US07648507B2 Pivoting implant holder
A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.
US07648506B2 Pivoting implant holder
A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.
US07648502B2 Low profile short tapered tip catheter
A low profile, short, tapered distal tip catheter and methods for its manufacture are provided. The catheter tip is configured to have a taper over a relatively short length resulting in a low profile that is useful when navigating the catheter tip into tight passages such as the Papilla of Vater. The configuration of the tip and process for making it can be employed in any medical catheter but are found to be most useful in a multilumen papillotome catheter used in biliary procedures.
US07648501B2 Electro-cautery catheter
An integrated catheter assembly for enabling diverse endoscopic in situ therapies. The assembly includes a catheter with an irrigation fluid lumen, a distal electrode tip portion that acts as a hemostat, and a cutting wire for making incisions in or ablating tissue. A cutting wire hub provides a sealing entrance for a cutting wire. An operator enables the physician to displace the cutting wire between extended and retracted positions. The cutting wire and electrode are electrically isolated. In addition, the catheter assembly may include a planar tip which, when extended outside the distal end of the assembly, assumes a substantially flat unbiased configuration for use. The apparatus of the present invention allows the physician to make incisions in or ablate tissue using electrosurgery, irrigate tissue, and cauterize or coagulate tissue without having to remove the apparatus from the working channel of the endoscope.
US07648496B2 Device and method for accurate delivery of an active agent
Implantable delivery devices (1) for accurately controlling release of an agent therefrom and for preventing release of the agent during storage, prior to use. The devices include a reservoir (3) for storing the agent, a driving means for driving the agent from the reservoir (3) and a valving and control mechanism (10) which is positively actuatable between a closed configuration and an open configuration.
US07648488B2 Wound care system
Disclosed is an apparatus for the treatment of a wound on a patient. The apparatus is capable of administering localized negative pressure therapy to the wound using a negative pressure source and a drain line for removing exudate from the wound. The apparatus is also capable of administering localized hyperbaric fluid therapy to the wound using a fluid source and a supply line for supplying fluid to the wound.
US07648486B2 Cannula protecting cover
A cannula cover for use with an injector or injection device, wherein the injector or injection device includes a dosing section and a cannula support, and wherein the cover is attached to the cannula support and can be retracted against a bias in order to expose a cannula, said cannula cover including, in one embodiment, a substantially closed front facing side having an openable cannula passage opening.
US07648485B2 Plaster device for supporting a bended length of a tube
A plaster device serves for fixating a length of a medical tube in relation to a skin surface of an individual having said tube inserted into a body part via an opening. The plaster device is of the kind including an adhesive part having an upper side, an adherent lower side for attaching the plaster device to the skin, and a through-opening for receiving the tube, a support part at least partly attached to the upper side of the adhesive part and arranged for supporting a bent length of said inserted tube, and fastenings means for securing the tube on the support part. The support part is an integral unit having a branched-off portion defining at least one recess for accommodating at least a part of a fastening means, preferably elastic means. A frictional force between the tube and the fastening means guarantees that the tube is prevented from moving or displacing to cause patient discomfort. The convex shape of the upper supporting surface provides a smooth anti-kinking support and guidance for the bended tube.
US07648482B2 Devices, systems, and methods for medicament delivery
An apparatus includes a housing, a medicament container and an actuator. The actuator includes a release member and an energy storage member having a first position and a second position. In the first position, the energy storage member has a first potential energy. In the second position the energy storage member has a second potential energy. The energy storage member is configured to convert a portion of the first potential energy into kinetic energy when moved from the first position to the second position to move the medicament container within the housing. The energy storage member has a longitudinal axis offset from a longitudinal axis of the medicament container. The release member is configured to selectively deploy the energy storage member from its first position to its second position.
US07648481B2 Syringe tip cap and method for producing a syringe tip cap
A syringe tip cap sealingly closes a distal opening of a syringe body. The syringe tip cap has a fastening ring which can be placed and fastened on the syringe body about the distal opening, and a closure cap which closes the distal opening in a sealed manner and is connected releasably to the fastening ring. The fastening ring has a locking means device that locks together with a locking device of the closure cap. The locking device of the fastening ring and the locking device of the closure cap are configured in such a way that they cannot be unlocked without sustaining damage. The syringe tip cap may be produced in a two-component injection molding process.
US07648475B2 Non-invasive device for measuring blood temperature in a circuit for the extracorporeal circulation of blood, and equipment provided with this device
A non-invasive device for measuring blood temperature in a circuit for the extracorporeal circulation of blood includes a line in which blood taken from a patient flows. The device also includes a temperature sensor connected to the line and provided with a device for measuring the intensity of an electromagnetic radiation. The measuring device faces a connecting portion or window of the line that is permeable by electromagnetic radiation in a first wave band, and generates a first signal, correlated with the electromagnetic radiation in the first band and therefore with the temperature of the blood flowing in the line.
US07648472B2 Pneumatic achilles sleeve
The pneumatic Achilles sleeve assembly comprises a sleeve and at least one strap for fastening the sleeve around the ankle. The sleeve assembly positions an arch cell which contains a dynamic volume of air within the sleeve under a human foot. The arch cell is fabricated from a flexible material and is in communication with a conduit member. Upon application of external pressure to the arch cell, air is expelled from said air cell through said conduit member. The sleeve assembly also positions a tendon cell which contains a dynamic volume of air within the sleeve against the Achilles tendon. The tendon cell is in communication with the arch cell via the conduit member. The tendon cell is also fabricated from a flexible material. Upon the expelling of air from said arch cell, the air enters through the conduit member into the tendon cell which exerts a greater pressure against the Achilles tendon.
US07648470B2 Elasticity measuring device for biological tissue
We disclose an elasticity-measuring device which can be inserted into a canal part of living body and which is capable of quantitatively measuring the elasticity of the biological tissue of inner side of canal part. The device consists of a probe base (5) and probes (7). The probes (7) are secured to probe base (5) and driven to press onto and return from biological tissue. According to the stress or hardness of the biological tissue measured by sensors on probes (7) and to the deviation between the probes (7) and the probe base (5), we can decide the elasticity of the biological tissue of inner side of canal part quantitatively.
US07648468B2 Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A cartridge houses the penetrating member. The cartridge has first and second seals coupled to the penetrating member to maintain a sterile environment around a portion of the penetration member prior to penetrating member actuation.
US07648466B2 Manually rotatable piercer
The present application is directed to an image-guided, vacuum assisted, percutaneous, coring, cable driven breast biopsy instrument which may be conveniently mounted to an x-ray machine wherein the biopsy instrument incorporates a rotation knob at the proximal end of the instrument to manually rotate the distal end of the probe, thus allowing the clinician to conveniently position the tissue port next to the tissue to be sampled.
US07648465B2 Method of testing a surgical system
A method for direct indication of the IOP level without requiring an additional pressure transducer being introduced into the irrigation path. The method of the present invention estimates resistance ratio for a particular setup, and thus does not assume a typical value; the estimation is performed in a pre-operational configuration that is the closest possible to the surgical configuration.
US07648461B2 User interface for a three-dimensional colour ultrasound imaging system
A three-dimensional ultrasound imaging system color user interface generates a volumetrically-rendered ultrasound image. The ultrasound image is manipulable using three-dimensional image compositing functions. The interface presents to the user three-dimensional image controls for controlling the ultrasound image. The three-dimensional image controls have an operational similarity to two-dimensional image controls for controlling a two-dimensional ultrasound image. The interface further relates the three-dimensional ultrasound image controls to the plurality of three-dimensional image compositing functions for manipulating the ultrasound images. Additionally, the interface presents to the user a three-dimensional color image control for controllably manipulating the ultrasound image using three-dimensional image using compositing functions such as a color flow mapping function, a color flow overlay function for mapping fluid flow direction, a depth-based velocity visualization color mapping function; and an absolute velocity representation function for mapping absolute fluid flow velocity relating to said ultrasound object.
US07648460B2 Medical diagnostic imaging optimization based on anatomy recognition
Anatomical information is identified from a medical image and/or used for controlling a medical diagnostic imaging system, such as an ultrasound system. To identify anatomical information from a medical image, a processor applies a multi-class classifier. The anatomical information is used to set an imaging parameter of the medical imaging system. The setting or identification may be used in combination or separately.
US07648454B2 Magnetic therapy device
A magnetic therapy device has been disclosed. In one embodiment of the magnetic therapy device, the device is disk-shaped, four inches in diameter, and ¾inches thick. A disk with ten neodymium magnets mounted on the disk is mounted on a motor. The motor spins the disk, creating a dynamic magnetic field that may be useful for healing human tissue. The motor is powered by a rechargeable battery, which in turn is recharged via an inductive coil. The inductive recharging system allows the device to be completely sealed with no electrical contacts, making it safe to use near water. This embodiment also has a sequential controller which causes the device to become active for thirty minutes and then become inactive, and uses a tri-state LED to indicate the status of the device.
US07648453B2 Catheter needle for internally irradiating a tumor in a body part
A catheter needle, for irradiating tumors, formed by an elongated plastic tube with parts partly unfoldable outwards which can lock themselves in the tissue, and a closed end. The closed end has a reinforced sharp pointed shape with which tissue can be punctured. In the improved version, therefore, a point from a harder material is provided which is provided in or around the plastic so that the catheter needle has sufficient sharpness like a conventional metal needle. Thus, the catheter needle can puncture the skin and harder, deeper-lying tissues directly without pre-puncturing or other aids.
US07648450B2 Method and apparatus for physical fitness training
An apparatus for physical fitness physical strength, agility and endurance training. A controllable pressurized flow of fluid is first received via a hose to a source of the pressurized fluid. In response to this flow of fluid, a force is generated along at least one of a plurality of selected directions using one or more apertures or nozzles. The force is then transferred to a user of the apparatus so as to supply physical resistance training to the user. The apparatus further includes a user engaging mechanism that is connected to the propulsion system, and is configured to transmit exercise forces to an associated user. The apparatus further includes controls for controlling the magnitude and direction of the reaction force vector applied to the user engaging mechanism. Various embodiments of user engaging members, including blocking dummies, handles, gloves, helmets, shoes, straps or balls, may be attached to the propulsion system.
US07648449B1 Aquatic exercise device
The present invention relates to a floating exercise mat. The mat has a substantially planar surface with distal and proximal ends. The mat has a headrest secured to the proximal end. The headrest is thicker than the body of the mat to support the head of a user. The body of the mat has two apertures therein, where each aperture has a handle disposed therein. The handles provide the user a gripping surface so that the user can perform exercises when gripping the floating mat. The distal end of the body of the mat has resistance wings secured thereon. The resistance wings can be made of a rigid material such as polycarbonate. The wings can be in the shape of a oval, triangle, semicircle, triangle, or a rectangle.
US07648447B2 Leg exercise device for use with an office chair
A leg exercise device for use with an office chair including a back, a seat, and a seat support. The leg exercise device includes a leg exercise mechanism for use by a user while seated on the office chair to exercise the user's legs, and a rigid connection mechanism extending from the leg exercise mechanism for detachably and rigidly connecting the leg exercise mechanism to the seat support of the office chair.
US07648445B1 Elliptical exercise apparatus
An elliptical exercise apparatus includes a body having a base frame and two supporting frames uprighted at two opposite sides of the base frame; a pair of lead swing arms each having an upper end pivotally coupled with the corresponding supporting frame wherein a sliding treadle assembly having a lower end provided with a treadle portion is axially slidably attached to the lead swing arm; a pair of subsidiary swing arms each having one end pivotally coupled with the base frame wherein a subsidiary sliding sleeve pivotally coupled with the sliding treadle assembly via a pivot is axially slidably attached to the subsidiary swing arm; and a rotational shaft transversely and pivotally coupled with the base frame, wherein at each of two ends of the rotational shaft, a vertical rotational link has one end coupled with the rotational shaft and an opposite end pivotally coupled with the sliding sleeve.
US07648434B2 Ball for ball game
The present invention provides a ball for ball games which has equivalent or increased cushioning properties when compared conventional balls. The ball for ball games of the present invention includes a bladder made of rubber or elastomer, and a foamed layer covering the outside of the bladder, in which a skin layer is provided on each surface sectionalized by partition portions extending from the surface of the foamed layer, the partitions having a lesser degree of expansion than the main portion of the surface which is sectionalized by the portions.
US07648433B1 Ball throwing and catching device
A device for playing a ball game by hurling a ball against a wall and catching it on the rebound is described. The device comprises a hollow, cylindrical body member resembling an elongated capsule with the top half of the capsular diameter removed for approximately ⅔ of its length, forming thus an open topped channel section, the remainder forming a closed end base section the rounded end of which serves as the hand hold for using the device, the inner surface of the channel and base sections integrally defining a passageway for the ball when it is either thrown or caught by the device; a safety strap including means for its connection to the device and attachment to the player's wrist is also described.
US07648432B1 Home plate with up-tight bevel
This patent application is for a baseball and softball home plate system generally, and more specifically a home plate system with changeable top plate sections and an up-tight bevel.
US07648428B2 Golf ball
The invention provides a golf ball composed of a core and a cover of one or more layer that encloses the core, which cover has an outermost layer on which a plurality of dimples are formed. The outermost layer is made of one or more thermoplastic or thermoset resin as a base material, and includes therein one or more light-collecting fluorescent dye. Also, 80% of the dimples formed in the outermost layer have a dimple edge angle of 5 to 30°. The surface of the ball exhibits fluorescence even in bad weather or low light conditions, giving the ball excellent visibility and also making the ball highly fashionable.
US07648426B2 Golf club head with metal injection molded sole
A wood-type golf club head (20) with a main body (22) and a metal injection molded sole portion (26) is disclosed herein. The main body (26) has a face portion (30), a crown portion (24) a ribbon portion (28) and a bottom opening (31). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably brazed to the main body (22). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) preferably has a mass ranging from 45 grams to 110 grams. The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably from 50 weight percent to 35 weight percent of the total mass of the wood-type golf club head (20).
US07648424B2 Golf club head having concavely curved face
A golf club, particularly a “putter” or “chipper”, is provided with a concave ball striking face that establishes line contact with a golf ball rather than the usual point contact and enhances the capability of a user to control the direction of ball movement resulting from a golf stroke. The concave ball striking surface may be curved and may have the same or greater curvature than the curvature of a golf ball and may have smoothly and gently merging surface regions of compound curvature. The concave ball striking face surface may have compound regions including a curved region and a planar region being smoothly and gently merged. The concave ball striking surface may be defined on an integral metal club head structure or may be defined by a polymer insert that is recessed into an insert receiving receptacle of the club head. Additionally, the face portion of a golf club head may have a recessed face to further aid in training and to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of ball movement resulting from a golf stroke.
US07648420B2 Multi-purpose sports facility
A multi-purpose sports facility is provided with a common base structure comprising a plurality of areas, each of which constitutes a track, pitch or court for practicing a respective sports activity. The invention enables people to learn and practice sport, choosing from the activities most widely practiced the one that they prefer and is tracks, pitches or courts most suitable for their own physical and mental aptitudes.
US07648416B2 Information expressing method
A musical rhythm is expressed by the number of the timing marks (for example, three timing marks when in simple triple time); and a musical tempo is expressed by the distance among the timing marks and a timing ball that moves at a fixed speed among those timing marks. Accordingly, a player may easily grasp the tempo of the music and easily determine the rhythm of the music in a sound game.
US07648415B2 Game apparatus and storage medium storing game program
A game apparatus includes a game machine and a game cartridge. On a case of the game machine, operation buttons are provided. On the LCD, game images of a player object and non-player objects in a game space are displayed. For example, a player, by holding the case with both hands and operating the operation buttons, controls a holding action of a left hand and a right hand of the player object. When the player instructs the player object to perform the holding action, if the non-player object exists at a position where the hand of the player object exists, the non-player object is held. In a case that the player object holds the non-player object with one hand, the player object rotates, and by changing the non-player object to be held, the player object can move within the game space. Furthermore, if releasing the hand from it during the rotation, the player object jumps out.
US07648414B2 Systems and methods for recognizing preferred wagerers
Systems and methods for recognizing preferred wagerers are provided. These systems and methods monitor wagerers using a wagering system, determine whether a wagerer is to be recognized, and, if so, provide an incentive to the wagerer.
US07648413B2 Combine harvester power management control
A system and method of controlling maximum available engine power of a combine harvester wherein the engine drives the harvester and additionally powers a threshing mechanism for separating harvested crop into grain and crop residue and at least one further crop processing subsystem that may be selectively configured and disengaged, including a straw chopper engageable for chopping the crop residue and propelling the chopped residue from the harvester, structure configurable for directing the crop residue into the chopper or to bypass the chopper, utilizing a controller for automatically reducing the maximum available engine power as a function of the status of the engagement of the subsystems, particularly the chopper and the configuration of the associated structure.
US07648412B2 Poultry defeathering apparatus
Poultry defeathering apparatus comprising at least one defeathering assembly (6) with a plurality of picking heads (7). Each picking head has a base member (15) provided with at least one flexible picking device (19). The base member is rotatable with respect to a support part (9). The flexible picking device (19) is rotatable with respect to the base member and is connected to a drive for rotating it with respect to the base member in a rotating movement different from the rotating movement of the base member with respect to the support part.
US07648404B1 Adjustable foot strap and sports board
A foot strap and recreational sports board that allows the user to easily tension a foot strap over the top of his or her foot. The foot strap, attached to the board, includes a strap, a cable, and a cable adjuster. The strap has separate first and second sides connected by the cable cinched and uncinched together as the cable is tightened and loosened by the cable adjuster with which it is engaged. A single cable adjuster and cable can be employed to simultaneously adjust two straps, both attached to the sports board. A pull may be included to facilitate exercise of the cable adjuster.
US07648403B2 Electrical printed circuit board with a screwless terminal connection
A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly includes a PCB and a screwless terminal connection having a conductor rail and a clamping spring. The PCB has a recess on an edge. The conductor rail has a base part soldered to the PCB and bridging the PCB recess. The base part includes an end extending past the PCB edge. The clamping spring includes three spring legs. The first leg contacts the base part and is between the base part and the PCB recess. The first leg includes an end extending past the PCB edge and contacting the end of the base part. The second leg extends from the first leg through the PCB recess and is beneath the PCB. The third leg includes a clamping aperture and extends upward from the second leg above the PCB. The ends of the base part and the first leg extend through the clamping aperture.
US07648401B2 Electrode line and connecting piece for electromedical implants
The invention relates to a connecting piece for connecting to an electrode line and to an electric implant, whereby the connecting piece has an electrically conducting plug module, multiple ring-shaped electrically conducting contacts with insulation sections having the same outside diameter arranged in the longitudinal direction therebetween, multiple electric connecting lines, and a supporting element which supports the insulation sections and secures them in the radial direction. A through-bore situated within the supporting element receives the plug module and/or a feeder line of an electrode body. The supporting element has grooves spaced along the longitudinal direction, and recesses extending from the proximal end to the distal end and running parallel to the longitudinal axis wherein the electric connecting lines are fit.
US07648396B2 Protective housing for electrical connectors
A shielding device for an electrical connector for joining a contact with an electrical line or cable includes a cylindrical shield member formed of brass arranged within the connector. The shield member contains an opening in a central region which defines cylindrical sleeves at each end of the member and a transitional portion joining the cylindrical sleeves. One of the sleeves receives the contact and the other of the sleeves receives an end of the electrical line. The shield member transitional portion defines a fold line about which the cylindrical sleeves are bent toward each other at a desired obtuse angle. Portions of the cylindrical sleeves overlap when the sleeves are bent toward each other to at least partially close the opening and shield the connection between the contact and the electrical line.
US07648391B2 Shaft lock socket system
A shaft lock socket system comprises: a housing defining a receiving chamber; at least a socket received in the receiving chamber, installed with a gap between the back of the socket and the inward portion of the receiving chamber; and at least an adjusting member arranged in the gap between the socket and the receiving chamber and abutting against the back of the socket. The system allows for adjustment of the tightness between the socket and the housing to a proper level, reducing resonance vibration in response to tiny vibrations caused by current passing through the plug and socket, thus improving the stability of power transmission and the sound quality of an audio device.
US07648386B2 Miniaturized connector for flexible printed circuit board
A connector includes contacts each having a contact portion, an elastic portion and a fulcrum portion between the contact portion and a connection portion, and a pressure receiving portion; a housing fixing the contacts; and a slider having urging portions pivotally moved between the connection and pressure receiving portions of the contacts to urging the contact portions against the circuit board, thereby achieving reliable connection and miniaturization of the connector. In an aspect, the housing is formed on the side of a board insertion opening with a recessed portion for conducting the board. In another aspect, the contact includes upper and lower contact portions one above the other arranged alternately staggered so as to be connected to a circuit board having contact portions alternately staggered, so that no defective connection occurs, even if the circuit board is inserted erroneously upside down. In a further aspect, the connector further includes locking members having an engaging portion which engages an anchoring portion of the circuit board to prevent the circuit board from being removed. In one aspect, contacts of two kinds are inserted into the housing from opposite sides, respectively so that these contacts of the two kinds are into contact with the contact portions on respective surfaces of the circuit board. In a further aspect, moreover, a plate-shaped piece is provided in opposition to the contact portions of the contacts to prevent the housing from being deformed.
US07648384B2 Tightly sealed electrical hook-up device with multiple configurations
An electrical hook-up device including an outlet, a plug and a tight-seal casing with a cover and a shutter and enabling a tightly sealed hook-up of the plug in the outlet. The casing takes the form of an accessory removably mounted on the outlet, and the shutter of said casing is also movably mounted on the cover.
US07648379B2 Modular electrical distribution system for a building
A universal power distribution system is provided for routing electrical circuits within a building structure to comprehensively provide electrical power to the building in ceiling configurations, wall-mounted configurations, raised floor configurations and in office furniture configurations. The system components for all of these configurations have common plug connectors that are engagable with each other so as to be readily usable in a wide variety of applications. The system is readily adaptable to form virtually any conventional circuit configuration found within conventional hard-wired systems yet is formed simply through the routing of the cables through the building cavities and interconnection is accomplished merely by plugging components together rather than through labor-intensive manual wiring.
US07648372B2 Cable assembly having connector with interior framework
A cable assembly (1000) includes a connector (1) having an insulated housing (1) and a plurality of contacts (10) received therein; a printed circuit board (2) having a front portion and an opposite rear portion, with the front portion thereof connected to the connector; a cable (4) coupled to the rear portion of the printed circuit board; a framework (3) having at least a retainer (31) and two arms (33, 34) extending rearward from lateral sides of the retainer, said connector held by the retainer and the printed circuit board supported by at least one of the two arms; and a cover enclosing the framework.
US07648371B2 Electrical connector arrangement for knife contacts
An electrical connecting arrangement includes a locator device mounted on a photovoltaic panel for relatively positioning a connector housing such that a resilient contact on the connector housing is arranged for electrical connection with a stationary rigid contact on the photovoltaic panel that extends in space relation within a chamber contained in the locator device, connection being made via an access opening contained in the locator device. Preferably, the stationary contact is a knife contact having a rectangular configuration defining a pair of parallel end edges that are supported by a pair of support slots defined in the opposed walls of the access opening, thereby to support the stationary contact during the engagement thereof by the resilient contact.
US07648355B2 Bell-nozzle blow-molding or stretch-blow-molding plant for making thermoplastic containers and mold therefor
A blow-molding or stretch-blow molding plant for making containers from thermoplastic polymer blanks, in particular PET, including a blowing bell-nozzle for blowing a pressurized fluid into a blank arranged in a cavity of a mold, the nozzle having one end adapted to be sealingly supported in front against a support plate provided in one surface of the mold capping the neck of the blank; the support plate is ring-shaped having an outline of similar shape as that of the outline of the end of the nozzle, the ring being engaged in a gutter which is hollowed out in the surface of the mold and which surrounds spaced apart the opening through which the neck of the blank passes.
US07648354B2 Transfer apparatus having gimbal mechanism and transfer method using the transfer apparatus
A transfer apparatus includes a table on which a molding material is placed, a mold holding body that fixes and holds a mold disposed such as to be opposed to a surface of the table, a gimbal member which holds the mold holding body and which forms a convex spherical surface portion, a gimbal member formed with a concave spherical surface portion which is opposed and in contact with the convex spherical surface portion, a movable body that holds the gimbal member and which can advance and retreat in the vertical direction with respect to the table surface, and an attitude adjusting/holding unit that adjusts and holds attitude of the gimbal member.
US07648346B2 Variable displacement compressor
A variable displacement compressor in which variable control of displacement is effected through adjustment of a crank chamber pressure, includes: a suction port; a suction chamber; a suction passage establishing communication between the suction port and the suction chamber; and an opening control valve arranged in the suction passage and adapted to adjust the opening of the suction passage based on a pressure difference between a suction pressure in the suction port and the crank chamber pressure.
US07648342B2 Compressor protection and diagnostic system
A compressor assembly includes a shell, a compressor housed within the shell, and a motor drivingly connected to the compressor. A printed circuit board supports at least one temperature sensor. Processing circuitry receives data from the printed circuit board to determine operating conditions of the compressor.
US07648341B2 Process for restoring a turbine blade
The restoring process machines out a crack in the platform of a turbine blade to form a pocket that then receives a plug of compatible material. The plug is brazed in place and the blade is the machined and cleaned to present a clean fresh surface where the plug is inserted. The plug has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion so that the plug area has less compressive stresses in the repaired area.
US07648333B2 Cooling arrangement
A cooling arrangement 21 for use within a gas turbine engine comprises a first shroud or platform 26 incorporating coolant passages 25 and a second shroud or platform 28. Generally, each platform or shroud 26, 28 will incorporate a pressure portion and a suction portion, with the pressure portion incorporating the coolant passages 25 through which the coolant flow 27 becomes incident on a surface 40 of the suction portion of the second shroud 28. The surface 40 is inclined or tapered towards the passage 25, such that there is limited direct impingement upon a front edge 39 of the surface 40. The coolant flow 27 thereby remains adjacent to the surface 40 for a longer period and so enhances cooling efficiency.
US07648326B2 Adapter faceplate
In combination a vehicle having an extension and an adaptor faceplate. The extension includes a first power-operated extension mount and a second mount. The adaptor faceplate comprising a rigid member securable to skid steer attachments with the rigid member having a front side and a back side with a frame extending from the back side of the rigid member for supporting a first connecting member and a second connecting member thereon with the first connecting member attachable to the first power-operated extension mount and the second connecting member attachable to the second extension mount.
US07648325B2 Industrial truck
An industrial truck, in particular a stacker vehicle, having a mobile base, a cab, which can be moved in relation to the mobile base, for an operator, a load-receiver and a device, which is arranged on the mobile base, for moving the load-receiver in relation to the mobile base, wherein the device for moving the load-receiver has a multiple-element articulated arm as a support, which can be moved in a controllable manner, for the load-receiver, and wherein the articulated arm, starting from a base-side articulation point beneath the cab or starting from a base-side articulation point above the cab, extends to the load-receiver, the elements of the articulated arm being connected to one another by pivot bearings—and being capable of being moved in relation to one another in order to manipulate the load-receiver.
US07648318B2 Load restraint apparatus and method for protecting products from damage during shipment
An arrangement of securing frame assemblies is provided within a shipping enclosure and engaging packages being handled. The frame assemblies are secured to side walls of the container and act in pairs to extend from respective sides and join together to form bracing barriers extending across the width of the container.
US07648311B2 Cable bolt
A cable bolt is provided that is suited to stabilize rock surfaces, particularly to withstand loads placed on the cable bolt when tensioned to stabilize rock surfaces of coal mines. The cable bolt comprises a tendon composed of a plurality of strands, the tendon having a plurality of pre-formed bulbous portions. The bulbous portions house rigid elements, such as a ball bearing, which are inserted after the bulbous portions are formed. When the cable bolt is tensioned or stressed, the load placed on the bulbous portion will be resisted by the rigid element housed within the bulbous portion, thereby preventing the bulbous portion from collapsing.
US07648309B2 Apparatus for compaction, breaking and rubblization
An apparatus for compaction, breaking and rubblization comprises a first non-circular plate having a first plate flat portion and a first plate thickness, a second non-circular plate having a second plate flat portion and a second plate thickness substantially equivalent to the first plate thickness, and a third plate having a third plate first flat portion and a third plate second flat portion and a third plate thickness less than the first plate thickness and the second plate thickness. The first plate flat portion is coupled to the third plate first flat portion and the second plate is coupled to the third plate second flat portion and each of the first plate, the second plate and the third plate are configured to form a multi-lobed roller assembly.
US07648308B2 Frame and corresponding roadway device
This frame (2) comprises a bottom plate (22) which has a base (26) which defines a frame support surface (28) which is directed towards an inner side (I) and a skirt (20) which is intended to receive a covering element (4) and which defines an outer side (E). The bottom plate (22) comprises at least one cell (32) which is open towards the inner side (I). Use in frames for manholes.
US07648306B2 Concrete shell assembly
A turnbuckle device (11) for clamping concrete shell elements (1, 2), having two claws (12, 13), which may be displaced toward one another, and a wedge (18) or the like, the claws (12, 13) having legs (14, 20; 41), the legs (14, 20; 41) having contact surfaces (30, 31; 43) extending in a plane to rest on struts (7, 21; 50) of frames (5, 6) of concrete shell elements (1, 2), the legs (14, 20; 41) having lugs on their free ends (16, 22; 40), which are capable of engaging behind depressions (9, 15) in frames (5, 6) of concrete shell elements (1, 2), is characterized in that an extension (17; 42; 44; 45) is provided on a lug (16; 40) of a leg (14; 41), which extends away from the contact surface (30, 43) at least partially perpendicularly to the plane of the contact surface (30; 43) of the leg (14; 41). The mounting of the turnbuckle device is thus made easier.
US07648302B2 Ring binder mechanism
A ring mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages comprises a housing, hinge plates, and ring members mounted on the hinge plates for retaining pages on the mechanism. An actuating lever is pivotally mounted on the housing for engaging the hinge plates and pivoting them to selectively move the ring members between an open position and a closed position. A travel bar is operatively connected to the lever for selective movement between a position in which locking elements of the travel bar block the pivoting movement of the hinge plates and a position in which the travel bar allows the hinge plates to pivot. The lever is configured to deform when pivoting the hinge plates to close the ring members to delay movement of the travel bar and locking elements to the blocking position from the onset of pivoting motion of the hinge plates.
US07648301B2 Cosmetic container
A cosmetic container in which a cap having a brush formed therein is rotated to open a discharge port of cosmetic liquid. The cosmetic liquid is discharged into the brush so that a proper amount is uniformly coated. The cap is rotated in the reverse direction so as to close the discharge port to block the discharge of cosmetic liquid. The cosmetic container includes a container, a lower cap that is screw-coupled to the opening section of the container, a packing body being inserted and fixed to a hole formed in the center of the lower cap, a middle cap that is rotatably coupled to the upper portion of the lower cap and has a shaft tube formed in the center thereof, the shaft tube having a cutaway portion formed by cutting in the position corresponding to an open hole of the packing body, a brush that is formed in the upper portion of the shaft tube, and an external cap that is coupled to the upper portion of the middle cap.
US07648299B2 Writing implement with a cap that can be screwed on
A writing implement includes a shaft part that holds a stylus and a cap, which can be screwed onto the shaft part in order to cover the stylus from an initial position of engagement up to a final position. A resistance against the screwing on, which is greater than the resistance when screwing on from the initial position of engagement up to an intermediate position, acts upon the cap when screwing on the cap from the intermediate position, which is located between the initial position of engagement and the final position, until reaching the final position.
US07648298B2 Packaging and applicator device comprising a support and a distribution member, and a method of applying a product with such a device
A device for packaging and applying a product may include: a receptacle containing the product; a support that defines a housing configured to pass the product emanating from the receptacle and includes dispersed magnetic particles; and an applicator member retained in the housing.
US07648295B2 Shoe shine pen
A handheld cleaning device, particularly for footwear cleaning, including first and second opposed ends, with each end having access to a reservoir containing either a cleaning solution or a shoe polishing compound. A method of using the device to clean and polish footwear is also described.
US07648294B2 Modular printer with a print media drying housing
The invention provides for a modular printer including a housing having an upper and lower cover, with a first side wall having an air duct with an air inlet, and a second side wall defining air exit vents, so that warm air can be ducted over print media passing through the housing. The printer further includes entry and exit media feed roller assemblies at respective opposite ends of the housing for feeding the print media through the housing. Also included is a print engine having two opposing arcuate printheads having a radius of curvature which approximates that of the radius of the rollers. The printhead are at least partially received between opposite halves of the rollers of the entry roller assembly. The print engine is configured to print ink followed by a fixative onto the print media, with the feed assemblies configured to feed the media through the housing at a predetermined rate so that said media only leaves the housing when the fixative has dried.
US07648292B2 Resist pattern forming method
A resist pattern forming method using a coating and developing apparatus and an aligner being connected thereto which are controlled to form a resist film on a surface of a substrate with a base film and a base pattern formed thereon, followed by inspecting at least one of a plurality of measurement items selected from: reflection ratio and film thickness of the base film and the resist film, line width after a development, an accuracy that the base pattern matches with a resist pattern, a defect on the surface after the development, etc. A parameter subject to amendment is selected based on corresponding data of each measurement item, such as the film thickness of the resist and the line width after the development, and amendment of the parameter is performed. This results in a reduced workload of an operator, and the appropriate amendment can be performed.
US07648288B2 Optical transmission device and electronic equipment with use thereof
An optical transmission device of the invention has an optical transmitter unit 1 in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are sealed with resin by transfer molding, and a holder 2 which holds the optical transmitter unit 1 being contained therein and which holds an optical plug being fitted therein with an optical fiber cable fixed to the optical plug. The holder 2 holds the optical plug that has been inserted from a direction generally at right angles to optical axes of the optical transmitter unit 1. The optical transmission device can easily be mounted on a printed board without necessity of a dead area for insertion/extraction of optical plug and can be small in size and thickness.
US07648286B2 Shutter assembly
According to the shutter assembly of the present invention, since the shutter member is connected in a swingable manner with the shutter housing that could be mounted on the optical adapter so as to surround the optical adapter, it is possible to easily provide the shutter member in either of the SC or LC optical adapter only by mounting the shutter housing on the SC or LC type optical adapter.
US07648284B2 Bearing apparatus for a wheel of vehicle
A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus for supporting a driven wheel of a vehicle has an outer member formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner peripheral surface. An inner member includes a wheel hub with an integrally formed wheel mounting flange at one end of the inner member. A cylindrical portion axially extends from the wheel mounting flange. At least one inner ring, formed with at least one of double row inner raceway surfaces, opposes the double row outer raceway surfaces. The inner ring is adapted to be press-fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. Double row rolling elements are freely rollably contained between the outer and inner raceway surfaces, respectively, of the outer and inner members. The inner ring is axially immovably secured relative to the wheel hub by a caulked portion. The caulked portion is formed by plastically deforming the end of the axially extending cylindrical portion radially outward. A partition wall is formed in the axially extending cylindrical portion of the wheel hub at a portion subjected to a load applied to at least the inner raceway surface of an inboard side of the double row inner raceway surfaces. A hollow portion is formed within the cylindrical portion at a portion outboard from the partition wall.
US07648283B2 Bearing apparatus for a wheel of vehicle
A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface. Inner members are each formed with inner raceway surfaces on their outer circumferential surface. The inner raceway surfaces face opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row balls are freely rollably contained between the outer raceway surfaces and inner raceway surfaces. A counter portion is formed near the bottom of each inner raceway surface. The counter portion has an outer diameter larger than, by a run-over height, a diameter of the bottom of each inner raceway surface. The counter portion is formed by a cylindrical portion that axially extends from each inner raceway surface. A tapered portion converges toward the end face of each inner member. Transitions between the counter portion and the inner raceway surface as well as between the cylindrical portion and the tapered portion are rounded and smoothly continuous.
US07648276B2 Sealing device for flexible liquor container
Sealing device for flexible liquid container is disclosed. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing device comprises an elongated member with a hollow passage extending through it with a longitudinal slot, slidingly mountable over a rod, which is provided over a lateral opening of a flexible liquid container. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the rod is attached to the member extending through the passage. When the portion of the container provided with the lateral opening is folded over the rod, substantially overlapping an adjacent portion of the container and the sealer is slidingly mounted over the folded portion of the container, liquid is prevented from leaking out of the container through the lateral opening.
US07648273B2 Radiation shielding for tomographic scanners
A radiation shield (24) for use with a tomographic scanner (10) provides a shielded region which at which a clinician or other person is shielded from radiation generated during a scan of a patient. A support (20) supports the first radiation shield (24) in a location near the scanner (10). The shield support (20) may be attached to the scanner (10).
US07648270B2 Temperature measurement of an integrated circuit
In one embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) is provided with a thermal diode and a constant current source. In this embodiment, the saturation current of the diode may be determined by means external to the IC. During normal operation of the IC, the constant current source drives a current to the diode, and the forward bias voltage of the diode is used as a temperature indicator. In another embodiment, an IC is provided with a pair of thermal diodes and a constant current source. During normal operation of the IC, each of the diodes receives a current of different magnitude from the constant current source, and a comparison of the diodes' forward bias voltages is used as a temperature indicator.
US07648268B2 Method of making electronic thermometer with anti-theft feature
A method of making an electronic thermometry assembly includes assembling a magnetic source capable of generating a magnetic field into a housing of the mount. A microcontroller including a resettable anti-theft counter for recording a use-parameter of the thermometer is mounted on a circuit board so that the thermometer is disabled in an anti-theft mode when the counter reaches a pre-selected number. A solid-state sensor in communication with the microcontroller is mounted on the circuit board. The sensor is capable of being activated by the magnetic field of the magnetic source to signal to the microcontroller to reset the anti-theft counter. The circuit board is assembled with the microcontroller and solid-state sensor thereon into a housing of the thermometer.
US07648263B2 Push button release for luminaires in a track lighting system
The invention provides an apparatus for engaging and disengaging a track lighting assembly with respect to a track in a track lighting system. The apparatus includes a track engaging apparatus that includes a housing. The housing includes a rotation inhibitor that has a protruding end that protrudes from the housing for engaging with the track and preventing the track engaging apparatus from rotating with respect to the track. The rotation inhibitor further includes a receiving member for translating a force in a first direction into motion of the rotation inhibitor in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The apparatus further includes an actuator for applying the force in the first direction to the receiving member.
US07648261B2 Adjustable utility light and methods of use thereof
An adjustable utility light having a body section, two independently movable hooks, a pivoting lamp section having fluorescent tubes and/or light emitting diodes, a component retention tray, at least one keyhole mounting slot, and a movable reflector, wherein the pivoting lamp section and the movable reflector pivot about the same pivot axis.
US07648256B2 Lighting system having lenses for light sources emitting rays at different wavelengths
A lighting system includes a first light source emitting first light rays; a second light source emitting second light rays, a first lens side which refracts the first and second light rays and collimates the refracted light rays; a second lens side which includes a plurality of first lenticules and refracts the first and second light rays; and a third lens side which includes a plurality of second lenticules and refracts the first and second light rays refracted by the second lens side.
US07648253B2 Article support device
A light fixture device has a light housing to receive a light source therein, a support assembly for supporting the light fixture relative to an anchor location, the support assembly including a post portion for mounting at the anchor location and a body portion, the body portion having a pair of opposed end regions, the post portion including a pair of cavities, each to receive a corresponding end region, the body portion being movable relative to the post portion about a first axis, the body portion and light housing having respective first and second support formations, the light housing being movable relative to the body portion about a second axis, to cause corresponding relative movement between the first and second support formations, the end regions and cavities having complementary third and fourth support formations, wherein relative movement between the body portion and post portion causes a corresponding relative movement between the complementary third and fourth formations.
US07648252B2 Lighting fixture with EMI/RFI electrically conductive shielding grid
A lighting fixture for use in an environment which requires protection from EMI/RFI emissions. The fixture comprises a body forming a light-emitting opening, lighting components including at least one lamp in the body, a lens covering the opening, and a conductive grid across the opening, the grid being separate from the lens, electrically connected to the body, and positioned between the lighting components and the opening.
US07648247B2 Light source device and projector
A light source device (411) has a lamp body (411A) including a light source lamp, a reflector (417) and an anti-explosion glass (418), and a lamp housing (411B) for accommodating the lamp body (411A). A plurality of projections (411B8) protruding along an optical axis of a light beam irradiated by the light source lamp are formed on the lamp housing (411B). Further, the reflector (417) has an approximately concave cross section and a positioning surface (417C) that touches the projections (411B8) of the lamp housing (411B) to locate the lamp body (411A) relative to the lamp housing (411B) is provided on a distal side of the concave section. The positioning surface (417C) is continuously flush.
US07648245B2 Cooling system of thin projector and method for controlling the same
A cooling system of a thin projector, and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The system comprises a heat source 1 in a housing, first and second suction ports formed at side and lower surfaces of the housing, respectively, a discharge port formed at an upper surface of the housing, first and second air stream forming units 2 and 3 to form first and second air stream along which air induced from the first and second suction ports is guided to the discharge port while cooling the heat source, respectively, a sensor unit to detect a temperature of suction air induced from the first and second suction ports and a temperature of discharge air discharged from the discharge port, and a controller 6 to control the first and second air stream forming units 2 and 3 using the temperatures of the suction and discharge air.
US07648242B2 Hybrid spectral domain optical coherence tomography line scanning laser ophthalmoscope
An apparatus for imaging an eye includes a housing and a system of optical components disposed in the housing. The apparatus is capable of operating in a line scanning laser ophthalmoscope (LSLO) mode and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) mode. The system of optical components can include a first source to provide a first beam of light for the OCT mode and a second source to provide a second beam of light for the LSLO mode. In the OCT mode, a first optic is used that (i) scans, using a first surface of the first optic, the first beam of light along a retina of an eye in a first dimension, and (ii) descans, using the first surface, a first light returning from the eye in the first dimension to a detection system in the OCT mode. In the LSLO mode, the first optic is used where the second beam of light passes through a second surface of the first optic.
US07648240B2 Ophthalmic apparatus
An ophthalmic apparatus comprises a projection system in which a pattern member is provided with a predetermined pattern for measuring the shape of the cornea of an eye of a subject, the predetermined pattern is thereby projected on the cornea of the eye of the subject, and an optical observation system in which light flux having a shape of the predetermined pattern emitted from the projection system is reflected at the cornea of the eye of the subject, the eye of the subject is observed by the light reflected by the cornea. A surface at the eye of the subject side of the pattern member is coated with a paint having a filtering property that transmits infrared light and blocks visible light.
US07648237B2 Device for installing suction jig for eyeglass lens and method for determining suction jig installation position
An automatic suction device for an eyeglass lens and a method for determining suction jig installation position, capable of recognizing that a frame exchange lens holder is being installed on a placement table, making transition to installation work of a frame exchange mode, and avoiding an erroneous contact between the frame exchange frame and a lens holding frame. The kind of holding means placed on the placement table is determined from an image of the inside of an opening (141), which image is taken by a CCD camera (105), and the installation position of a suction jig (121) at an eyeglass lens (L) placed on a frame exchange lens holder (300) is obtained.
US07648236B1 Multi-use eyeglasses with human I/O interface embedded
An multi-use eyeglass apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises a frame, a display device, at least one sensor and a transceiver. The frame may have a plurality of lens openings defining an optical path. The display device may be mounted to the frame and configured to display an image to a user wearing the frame, wherein the image is located outside of the optical path. The at least one sensor is generally mounted to the frame and configured to sense a response from the user. The transceiver may be mounted to the frame and configured to (i) receive the image in a first receive message from external of the frame and (ii) transmit the response in a first transmit message to external of the frame.
US07648234B2 Eyewear with heating elements
Eyewear having heating elements therewith which may be used for safety, sports, and the like. The eyewear may provide features which reduce or eliminate fogging and condensation on the eyewear when a heating element in the lens is activated. The eyewear also includes adjustable features to provide greater comfort.
US07648231B2 System and method for insulating solid ink printheads
An insulating assembly and method for insulating printer/copier solid ink printheads. The insulating assembly includes printhead insulators having thermal insulation capable of moving along insulator paths interposed between the printheads and an ink receiving surface for insulating the printhead front faces. The method includes moving insulating assemblies along insulator paths interposed between the printheads and an ink receiving surface for insulating the printhead front faces.
US07648229B2 Liquid jet head and its manufacturing method
A liquid jet head includes: a substrate; a pressure generation chamber provided in the substrate; an elastic plate provided above the substrate; a capacitor structure section provided above the elastic plate, the capacitor structure section including a lower electrode layer, a piezoelectric layer and an upper electrode layer; a porous layer provided above the capacitor structure section; a seal layer provided on the porous layer; and a void section formed between the capacitor structure section and the porous layer.
US07648228B2 Liquid ejection head, liquid ejection apparatus and image forming apparatus
The liquid ejection head includes: a plurality of nozzles having openings through which liquid is ejected; a plurality of pressure chambers which are connected to the nozzles, respectively; a space section forming member which defines a plurality of space sections arranged adjacently to the openings of the nozzles, respectively; and a liquid transmission hole forming member which is formed with a plurality of liquid transmission holes in coaxial positions with respect to the nozzles so as to oppose the openings of the nozzles across the space sections, respectively, wherein in terms of cross-sectional areas parallel to a plane including the openings of the nozzles, each of the space sections is smaller than each of the pressure chambers, and larger than each of the openings of the nozzles and the liquid transmission holes.
US07648227B2 Fluid ejection device with data signal latch circuitry
A fluid ejection device includes a first fire line, a second fire line, data lines, latch circuitry, first drop generators, and second drop generators. The first fire line is adapted to conduct a first energy signal including first energy pulses and the second fire line is adapted to conduct a second energy signal including second energy pulses. The data lines are adapted to conduct data signals that represent an image and the latch circuitry is configured to latch the data signals to provide latched data signals based on at least one clock signal. The first drop generators are configured to respond to the first energy signal to eject fluid based on the latched data signals and the second drop generators are configured to respond to the second energy signal to eject fluid based on the latched data signals.
US07648225B2 Printing method, printing system and storage medium
A printing method includes: printing an image to be printed on a medium by repeating alternately a dot forming process for forming dots on the medium by ejecting ink from each nozzle of a plurality of nozzles, and a carrying process for carrying the medium in a carrying direction, and forming a plurality of rows of dots, lined up in the carrying direction, that are configured by a plurality of dots lined up in a movement direction; selecting a printing mode according to the number of the dots to be formed in a predetermined region of the medium, from among a plurality of the printing modes each with a different ratio of the number of dot rows formed using a different number of nozzles to the number of dot rows formed using a certain number of nozzles; and printing on the region to be printed based on the selected printing mode.
US07648223B2 Method of capping printhead assembly
A method of capping a pagewidth printhead assembly is provided. The printhead assembly has two confronting pagewidth printheads and a plurality of nozzles located along each printhead and arranged in use to deliver ink onto opposite surfaces of print media as it is transported past the printheads. In the method linear movement of each printhead is effected in a first direction and linear movement of associated capping members is effected in a second direction to a position at which each capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the associated printhead. The first and second directions are non-parallel.
US07648221B2 Droplet ejecting apparatus and thickness estimating method
A droplet ejecting apparatus, including: a head unit including (a) a cavity unit constituted by plate members stacked on and adhered to each other, having a first and a second outer surface respectively defined by a first and a second outermost plate member of the plate members which are opposite to each other and one of which has nozzles, and having liquid flow channels formed therein and respectively communicating with the nozzles, and (b) an actuator attached to the cavity unit and operable such that the head unit ejects droplets through the nozzles, a holder holding the head unit, a reinforcing plate adhered to the cavity unit so that the holder holds the head unit, an adhesive layer between the first outer surface and a first surface of the reinforcing plate as one of opposite surfaces thereof so as to adhere the cavity unit and the reinforcing plate to each other, and having a non-adhesive area in which no adhesive exists, and a measuring section configured such that a measurement for estimating a thickness of the adhesive layer by using the non-adhesive area is performed therein.
US07648218B2 Printer operable as a plurality of kinds of devices and control method therefor
A printing apparatus for effecting printing using a recording head mounted thereto includes a communicating section for communication with an information processing apparatus; a control section for determining a kind of device among a plurality of kinds in response to a predetermined operation for setting the kind of the printing apparatus, and operable for the kind thus determined; a discrimination section for discriminating whether the kind of device is determined or not; and a communication control section for controlling communication with the information processing apparatus by the communicating section in accordance with a result of discrimination of the discrimination section.
US07648217B2 Printing system and method
A printing system includes a media transport pathway, a marking system disposed along the media transport pathway and a sheet media sensor capable of identifying associated sheets of media. An operating module is capable of switching the printing system between a productive condition and a non-productive condition. An advancement module is capable of advancing associated sheets of media along the media transport pathway while the printing system is in the non-productive condition. A method is also included.
US07648208B2 Seat belt buckle positioner
A seat belt device for stabilizing and positioning a flexible vehicle seat belt buckle having a substantially rigid support structure configured for combining with a vehicle seat belt buckle to convert a movable, flexible vehicle seat belt buckle to a substantially stationary seat belt buckle for facilitating engagement of a seat belt latch. The support structure includes splinting configurations and wedging configurations.
US07648204B2 Recliner adjuster
A recliner adjuster includes a guide bracket to be fixed to one of a seat cushion and a seat back that can pivot with respect to the seat cushion, an internal gear to be fixed to the other of the seat cushion and the seat back, a cam interposed between the guide bracket and the internal gear, a pair of lock gears radially slidable in association with an operation of the cam, and a mounting ring for assembling the guide bracket and the internal gear together with the cam and the pair of lock gears interposed therebetween. The mounting ring has a flat annular portion and a cylindrical side portion joined to one of the guide bracket and the internal gear. An outer peripheral surface of the other of the guide bracket and the internal gear is held in sliding contact with an inner surface of the cylindrical side portion of the mounting ring to thereby radially position the other of the guide bracket and the internal gear.
US07648202B2 Vehicle seat with a seat tilt adjustment combined with a fold flat mechanism with a return function
A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat bottom includes a forward section and a rear section. The seat back is pivotably mounted about the seat bottom. The seat back is positionable in a reclined position and a folded position. The pivotable link system characteristically positions the forward section of the seat bottom in a lowered position and one or more raised positions.
US07648200B2 Headrest device
A headrest device for supporting a headrest with respect to a seat. A lower frame is connectable to the seat, and an upper frame is provided for supporting the headrest thereon. A pair of link brackets connects the lower frame to the upper frame for pivotal motion of the upper frame with respect to the lower frame through a limited range of motion between a forward tilt limit position and a rearward tilt limit position. A motor is operatively connected one of the link brackets to move the upper frame between the forward tilt limit position and the rearward tilt limit position in response to a control signal.
US07648195B2 Motor vehicle body whose underbody area is associated with reinforcing struts
A motor vehicle, especially a convertible vehicle, with a vehicle body in whose underbody area reinforcing struts re provided. At least one retaining bridge is arranged indirectly or directly on the underbody and extending beneath part of an exhaust system for attachment of at least one of the struts.
US07648185B2 Mirror mounting with integral rain gutter
A mirror assembly (30) has a housing (32) that houses a mirrored reflecting surface (40) for enabling a person in a driver's compartment of a vehicle cab (10) to look through a side door window opening (20) and see a field of view toward the rear of the vehicle. The mirror assembly mounting (32) includes a mounting bar (42) that is attached to the side door, that has a length running along the top margin of the door, and that along at least a portion of that length comprises an upwardly open channel (50) for collecting rainwater runoff from the roof and carrying it rearward before the runoff can wash across the window opening.
US07648184B2 Audio component mounting system
A mounting system for motor vehicle audio components is described. The mounting system comprises a chassis and at least one vibration damping element. The vibration damping element is mounted within the chassis in a position to support and secure an audio component. The vibration damping element has a slot receiving a fastener that is connected to the audio component. The fastener secures the audio component in a first position and translates along the fastener slot under a predefined load.
US07648183B2 Latching apparatus and method
A latching apparatus for lifting and lowering loads. The apparatus comprises a prong and a receiving receptacle configured to receive the prong. The receiving receptacle comprises a body having a central passage, a plurality of jaws arranged about the central passage, and a spring for biasing the jaws to extend into the central passage. The latching apparatus may further comprise an activation disc for disengaging the jaws from the prong. The jaws have a pin extending therefrom; and wherein the activation disc contains a plurality of cam surfaces that engage the pin of the jaws. A method of latching onto a container is also disclosed.
US07648181B1 Gate latch
A latching and locking mechanism for fence gates or doors. The mechanism comprises a locking pin for selectively securing the gate in the closed position. When the locking pin is removed from a portion of the mechanism, the gate can easily be opened or closed. When the locking pin is inserted through a portion of the mechanism, the gate is held in a closed position. The locking pin can be locked in the closed position with a lock.
US07648176B2 Pipe joint
A joint for joining the ends of two pipes has a socket (or box) on the end of one pipe into which the end of the other pipe is inserted. The part of the socket which surrounds the inserted pipe has an external tapered surface. A correspondingly tapered sleeve surrounds the socket and can be moved axially to apply a compressive force to the taper on the socket which is thus compressed inward against the inserted pipe end to frictionally grip the inserted pipe end.
US07648174B2 Hose assembly with clamp, and band holder
A band holder holds a clamp band for a hose. The band holder includes an arm for covering an outer peripheral portion of the hose, connecting portions provided at free ends of the arm for connecting the free ends to form a circular shape of the arm, and a holding portion projecting from the arm for holding the clamp band. A fixing device fixes at least the holding portion to the hose. A hose assembly includes the band holder, a flexible hose to be connected to a tubular member, and a clamp band covering an outer surface of the hose for connecting the hose to the tubular member. The clamp band includes a band portion, and a screw unit provided at ends of the band portion for a clamp operation so that the screw unit tightens the band portion.
US07648171B2 Seat belt buckle system and scabbard
A seat belt buckle system includes a seat belt with a latch plate, and a seat belt buckle assembly. The seat belt buckle assembly includes a buckle head for receiving the latch plate, a scabbard covering a portion of the buckle head, and a buckle stalk connecting the buckle head to a vehicle body portion. The scabbard includes at least one tear seam located at an intersection of the first wall and the third wall. The scabbard is configured such that a separation force of the tear seam is less than a buckling load of the scabbard, such that when the buckle is impacted and undergoes a shock load during buckle pretensioning, the tear seam will separate and allow the buckle head to slide down the ramped surface preventing a shock load from a hard contact point that would cause the latch plate to delatch from the buckle head.
US07648167B2 Airbags formed with efficient use of materials and methods of forming such airbags
Inflatable devices such as airbags are detailed. The bags may be formed of components well nested on linear rolls of material, reducing material wastage. The airbags additionally may, in some cases, be formed of components lacking curved surfaces; in certain cases the bag components additionally may have complementary surfaces that, although formed of straight segments, resemble convex and concave shapes.
US07648164B2 Airbag deployment control based on deployment conditions
Method for controlling flow of gas into an airbag includes generating gas, directing the gas into the airbag, and controlling the flow of gas into the airbag based on conditions at the time of deployment such that the airbag is variably deployed dependent on ambient conditions. A related arrangement for controlling flow of gas into an airbag includes a system for generating gas, a system for directing the gas into the airbag and a system for controlling the flow of gas into the airbag based on conditions at the time of deployment such that the airbag is variably deployed dependent on ambient conditions.
US07648161B2 Airbag device
An airbag device, provided below a pad of a vehicle seat cushion, comprises an airbag which deploys at a time of a vehicle collision, and an enveloping member which envelops the airbag in a tube shape; the airbag device is characterized in being provided at a position substantially in a center of the seat cushion in the back-and-forth direction of the vehicle, and in that the enveloping member has different peripheral lengths in an intermediate portion thereof and in end portions thereof.
US07648159B2 Airbag apparatus, saddle-type vehicle with airbag apparatus
An airbag apparatus is provided in which constraint of a rider in case of front collision is achieved. In one form, an airbag apparatus to be mounted to a motorcycle includes an airbag which is deployed and inflated in case of front collision of a vehicle. The airbag forms a constraining surface for constraining a rider when deployed and inflated, and is configured to be deployed and inflated while extending the constraining surface along the direction connecting the abdominal portion and the chest portion of the rider when constraining the rider.
US07648157B2 Airbag apparatus
An airbag apparatus mounted on a motor vehicle is constructed such that a folded shape of an airbag is held by an airbag-holding member disposed in a manner to wrap an external surface of the folded airbag, which is housed in a retainer. The airbag-holding member is constructed such that a film sheet, in which a plurality of resin layers is laminated together, is configured to have a bag-shape that wraps around an entire external surface of the folded airbag.
US07648155B1 Universal mobile saw stand
This saw stand is a mobile unit, via a built-in hand truck design which enables the end user to transport common table saws and equipment to the location of the project being undertaken. The unit quickly folds out into a fully supporting work bench for actual use of the saw and/or equipment.
US07648154B2 Method and apparatus for trailer jack mount
The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for providing a trailer jack mount. The subject invention also pertains to a method and apparatus for providing a trailer jack mount for use with towable trailers. The subject invention is advantageous for use with trailers, such as utility trailers, which are frequently moved between various locations. The subject apparatus can also enable the mounting of a trailer jack to a trailer such that the trailer jack can quickly transition up or down relative to the trailer. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention includes a first piece mountable to a trailer and a second piece to which a trailer jack can be secured. In this embodiment, the subject apparatus also includes means for securely attaching the second piece to the first piece and allowing the second piece to pivot relative to the first piece. Advantageously, the subject invention can either be retrofitted to an existing trailer with jack, or installed at original manufacture. In another specific embodiment, the second piece is slidably attached to the first piece to allow an individual to adjust the height of the trailer jack.
US07648152B1 Motorcycle kickstand accessory
An accessory adapted to be affixed to a motorcycle kickstand comprising a pad and at least one bracket removably attachable to the pad at a top of each channel wall by at least one fastener. The pad comprises a channel formed between opposing channel walls extending vertically from either longitudinal side of the pad, and a bottom side. The bottom side comprises a tread and provides support and a barrier that prevents the kickstand from marring a surface when a force is applied to the deployed kickstand.
US07648146B2 Ice skating blade
A skate blade has a front curved section having a front balance point, a rear curved section having a rear balance point, and a middle section having a center balance point. Each balance point is a point on the skate blade over which a skater's center of gravity lies depending on the skater's position. The skate blade is shaped such that the middle section is substantially flat. Additionally, the blade is shaped such that more of the blade extends away from a blade holder at the rear balance point than at the front balance point.
US07648142B2 Prize acquisition game device
Provided is a prize acquisition game device in which a control unit constituted from a microcomputer controls a prize acquisition unit that moves in a game space with a plurality of prizes disposed therein, and controls the acquisition of the prize. The control device moves the prize acquisition unit to the target prize based on an operation signal, judges the success of the acquisition of the prize, and moves the prize acquisition unit that acquired the prize to a position where the prize can be paid out to the player. And an obstruction unit for obstructing the prize while it is being transported, or when the prize is to be dropped in the prize payout slot has been provided.
US07648138B2 Sheet handling apparatus
A sheet handling apparatus is proposed to be able to stably shift a position of a sheet. A sheet handling apparatus comprises: conveyance device for conveying a sheet; shift device, rotating in a direction inclined relative to a direction of conveyance of the sheet, for coming into contact with the sheet to shift a position of the sheet in a widthwise direction of conveyance; and shift presence and absence switching device for switching between a shift execution state, in which shift of the sheet is executed by the shift device, and a shift non-execution state, in which the shift is not executed by the shift device; wherein at least a part of that contact portion of the shift device, which comes into contact with a surface of the sheet, is positioned at a side of a shift direction relative to the conveyance device, which has a conveyance force during shift, and a frictional force of the shift device on the sheet at the time of execution of shift is set to be larger than that of the conveyance device on the sheet.
US07648136B2 Sheet post-process apparatus
A sheet post-process apparatus includes a waiting tray and a processing tray. The waiting tray is provided in the middle of a conveying path and makes standby sheets in the case where a post-process is required. The processing tray has a function which causes the sheets made standby on the waiting sheet to be dropped by self-weight. With this function, the processing tray receives the sheets moved to be dropped and the sheets conveyed from the conveying path without intervening the waiting tray, before carrying out the post-process. Sheet bundles formed on the processing tray are stacked on a storage tray by a sheet conveying mechanism after they have been post-processed.
US07648133B2 Media sheet input devices for use in an image forming apparatus
Assemblies and methods to move media sheets from a media stack within an image forming apparatus. These may include a pivoting arm with an attached roller that contacts the media stack and rotates to move a top-most sheet from the media stack. A clutch may be operatively connected to the arm for the arm to pivot in a first direction to maintain the roller positioned on a top of the media stack as the media stack is depleted and a height of the media stack is reduced. The clutch may also reduce movement of the arm in a second direction beyond a predetermined amount.
US07648130B2 Use of magnets to provide resilience
The clamp-unit is arranged in class-1 double-lever configuration. The levers carry a pair of jaws at one end, and magnets at the other end. The magnets are arranged in repulsive pairs, whereby the magnets urge the jaws together.
US07648121B2 Commercial lifting device-two-position lift bridge
A two part jack system includes a power unit having a generally rectangular frame with a forward end, a rearward end, a pair of longitudinal side flanges that extend upward therefrom, and a rear cover that extends from the side flanges at the rearward end of the frame. A lifting mechanism mounted on the frame includes a pair of parallel lift arms having forward ends thereon each having a leveling pad pivotally attached to the outer side thereof. A two-position lift bridge includes a rectangular plate having a forward end, a rearward end, an upper surface, a bottom surface and a pair of sides. The bridge is for being positioned laterally and horizontally on the leveling pads at the forward ends of the lift arms, whereby the power unit is operable for use as a load lifting jack. The bridge is alternatively for being positioned on the rear cover of the power unit, whereby the power unit is operable for use with a jack stand. The cover at the rearward end of the power unit further includes apertures therein for receiving the bottom of the bridge.
US07648118B2 Flow-regulating valve and oil level control system using same
A flow-regulating valve has at least one active material component that may be passively activated (e.g., in response to changes in surrounding temperature) to control fluid flow through the valve. Additionally, an actuator, which may be of any type, such as a solenoid or even another active material component, actuates due to active activation, such as resistive heating in response to a sensor/control signal, which could be due to external conditions (such as existence of high acceleration) or internal conditions (such as change in fluid temperature) to provide an active level of control of fluid flow through the valve. The flow-regulating valve may be used in an oil level control system of a transmission to ensure adequate oil availability during various operating conditions while minimizing the adverse effects such as spin and windage losses. Similar applications can be made in other fluid flow or fluid level control systems.
US07648117B2 Injection mold assembly
A cavity is formed between stationary and movable mold members, and a runner is connected to a gate to the mold cavity to supply a molten resin material thereto. The stationary and movable mold members have bodies of an aluminum alloy of high heat conductivity and light weight. Iron base plating is applied at least to transfer wall surfaces of the cavity, leaving and exposing other wall surfaces in a non-plated state.
US07648114B2 Gripping device and method of providing a gripping device
A gripping device arranged in a bracket is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the gripping device includes a gripping element with an adjustable gripping range. The gripping element extends as a substantially closed loop, and is adapted to receive objects of varying shapes and sizes. The gripping device further includes a support structure and a displacing device, the displacing device being adapted to displace the support structure relative to the bracket and adjust the gripping range by changing a distance between a first attachment on the gripping element arranged adjacent the support structure, and a second attachment on the gripping element which is arranged adjacent the displacing device. A corresponding method of providing a gripping device is also disclosed.
US07648110B2 Banner station for glassy surface
Disclosed is a banner stand adapted to attach to and detach from a glassy surface. The banner stand includes a vacuum suction plate made of a soft material, a suction latching protrusion protruding from the vacuum suction plate; a lower support having a slanted lateral wall portion formed along a peripheral edge of an upper end of a base ring portion, the slanted lateral wall portion having operation ribs extending thereon at an interval; a suction plate operation member having rib guide protrusions guided on the operation ribs, a suction latching protrusion support, and a ball joint coupler; and a pole support having a pair of ball joints positioned on a bottom surface of a body so as to be coupled to the ball joint coupler of the suction plate operation member.
US07648101B2 Method and apparatus for fast deploying and retrieving of towed bodies
In a method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a towline connecting a mooring craft to an ejected object comprising the steps of monitoring velocity to determine when a point for optimum braking has been achieved and then engaging a brake system to retard deployment of the towline, a DC motor augments and controls the brake system. The DC motor further controls the retrieval of the object. A cutter mechanism uses a first blade to grip the towing cable to maintain tension thereon as a second blade cuts the cable. A spring biased boom in combination with spring biased fins on the ejected object rapidly deploys the object from its storage housing. A locking mechanism secures the deployment mechanism in a stable locked position upon the object reaching its fully extended position.
US07648098B2 Low reserve indicator for a paper towel dispenser
A low reserve indicator mechanism for a supply of paper towels is disclosed. The mechanism includes a base, a pushplate, and an indicator. The pushplate is connected to the base with a translational degree of freedom therebetween, is biased in a first direction relative to the base, and is responsive to a first attribute of the supply of paper towels to translate opposite the first direction. The indicator is pivotally connected to the pushplate, and is movable between a retracted position and an indicating position in response to a second attribute of the supply of paper towels.
US07648097B2 Dispenser containing side by side rolls and provided with lower sliding closing means
The invention relates to a dispenser of rolls placed side by side, each held in rotation about a horizontal spindle (1), comprising a casing (10) surrounding the rolls, a cover (14) that complements the casing, at least one opening (2) in the lower part of the dispenser, and a sliding access panel (3) intended to partially close off the said opening so as to allow access to one of the rolls known as the roll in use, and at the same time, prevent access to the other roll known as the spare roll contained in the dispenser. According to the invention, the dispenser further comprises a mechanism intended to immobilize the access panel (3) under the spare roll and release it automatically and only when the roll in use is empty.
US07648094B2 Condiment grinder and dispenser
Peppercorns and coarse salt are selectively stored, ground and dispensed. Two squeeze-levers are provided for actuating the grinder, with a lock for selectively disabling one of them so that only one condiment is dispensed at a time. Means is provided for increasing the quantity of condiment ground for each stroke of the grinder lever.
US07648092B2 Food grater
A food grater (10) is disclosed as including a first arm (12) and a second arm (14), the first arm (12) including a grating plate (18), the second arm (14) including a wall (23) and a press plate (36) for confining movement of food, and the first arm (12) and second arm (14) are engaged with each other and pivotable relative to each other to grate the food by the grating plate (18).
US07648087B2 Spray nozzle assembly
A spray nozzle assembly for atomizing a medium through a nozzle channel, comprising a first channel portion which is tapered by two lateral surfaces facing each other to form an elongate narrow cross-sectioned surface, a passage orifice disposed in the narrow cross-sectioned surface the cross-sectional area of which is smaller than is the narrow cross-sectioned surface, and a second channel portion adjoining the passage orifice in the direction of medium flow which has two opposed lateral surfaces separating from each other with an increase in distance from the passage orifice, whose edges facing the passage orifice extend crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the narrow cross-sectioned surface, characterized in that the nozzle channel having the two channel portions and the passage orifice are configured inside an integrally formed plastic component.
US07648085B2 Drip emitter
A drip emitter is provided for delivering irrigation water from a supply tube to an emitter outlet at a reduced and relatively constant flow rate. Water enters the emitter through a first inlet and proceeds into a first chamber. When the water pressure is above a predetermined level, a one-directional valve opens to allow fluid flow past the first chamber, through a tortuous path flow channel, and through an emitter outlet. A second inlet is used to compensate for water pressure fluctuations in the supply tube to maintain output flow at a relatively constant rate. Water enters the second inlet and presses a flexible diaphragm toward a water metering surface to provide pressure-dependent control of the output flow. A copper member is mounted to the emitter over the emitter outlet to prevent plant root intrusion into the emitter outlet.
US07648084B2 Dosing device
A dosing mechanism for fuels, particularly for the input into a chemical reformer to obtain hydrogen, has a metering-in device for metering fuel into a supply line, which opens out at at least one dosing aperture into a transporting line transporting a tempered material flow. A holding device for accommodating the metering-in device has an insulating body which thermally insulates the metering-in device from the transporting line that transports the tempered material flow.
US07648083B2 Power sprayer
A dispenser adapted to be coupled to a fluid container. The dispenser comprises a dispensing head, an energy source, and a fluid pathway. The dispensing head includes a fluid pump, a motor adapted to power the pump, a trigger adapted to control the motor, and a nozzle orifice in fluid communication with a discharge end of the pump. The fluid pathway has one portion in fluid communication with an intake end of the pump and another portion inside the container. In one embodiment, the fluid pump is a peristaltic pump. The present invention may further include a valve having a membrane for controlling flow through the valve, the membrane having open and closed positions; and an element urges the membrane to the closed position, and a vacuum pressure at one end of the valve may overcome the urging of the element, thereby moving the membrane to the open position.
US07648076B2 Magnetic tape with holographic hidden pattern, method of making same and reader for reading same
A holographic magnetic tape comprising a hidden image pattern for protecting against skimming, alteration and counterfeiting of the data encoded in the holographic magnetic tape. The hidden image pattern in a holographic magnetic tape of a transaction card is used to determine the validity of said transaction card and the holographic magnetic tape. This relieves the clerk at the point-of-sale of visually inspecting card which is generally ineffective.
US07648074B2 Article, especially valuable and security document, comprising a security feature
A value or security document (2) contains a security feature (4) in the form of a film laser with an emitter layer (12) and preferably a protective layer (14). A spatial, periodic modulation (8), preferably of the surface of a substrate, permits fine adjustment of a laser wavelength within a range of possible wavelengths. This permits a coding of the security feature by different portions of different wavelengths.
US07648071B2 Apparatus for image reading and method for setting the image reading
According to an embodiment, there are achieved an apparatus for image reading and a setting method for the apparatus with which adjusting workability is enhanced, an adjusting time is shortened and focusing of a 4-line CCD sensor as an optical sensor is set to the averagely best state. This embodiment is equipped with an optical sensor having plural line sensors having different numbers of pixels, a condenser lens for projecting an optical image to the optical sensor, and an adjusting mechanism for setting the distance between the condenser lens and the optical sensor so that the resolution of the line sensor having the largest number of pixels is highest among the plural line sensors.
US07648065B2 Storage cabinet with improved RFID antenna system
A system for reading RFID tags of articles within a cabinet includes a repositionable shelf. The repositionable shelf includes an antenna assembly having three antenna pairs. Each antenna pair has a loop antenna and a figure eight antenna. The antenna pairs are on a PC board. The PC board includes an RJ45 connector which provides both power to the antenna assembly as well as a communication interface for the antenna assembly. The RJ45 connector could be used to provide the RF signals from the antenna to a reader. The system could also include a repositionable divider for placement perpendicular to the repositionable shelf. The repositionable divider also includes a loop antenna and a figure eight antenna.
US07648062B2 Method and device for treating a set of components for the wheel of a vehicle
A method is presented for maintaining a set of at least two components from a group including a wheel rim, a tire and a safety support element, the method including the following steps: providing a set of components, wherein at least one of the components is provided with an information carrier that can be automatically read and is configured to supply at least one data element for use in carrying out the desired maintenance on the set; said set is brought to a maintenance machine that is configured to carry out the desired maintenance on the set under the control of a programmable data management unit; the information carrier of at least one of the components of the set brought to the machine is automatically read and the data is automatically transmitted to the programmable unit; the machine is regulated on the basis of the data transmitted; and the desired maintenance for the set is initiated and carried out by means of the machine.
US07648058B2 Formed metal core sandwich structure and method and system for making same
A method and apparatus for producing a metal core sandwich structure that is lightweight and many times stiffer than regular sheet metal, and which is easily formable into curved structures as well as structures having compound curves. In one embodiment, a formed metal core includes a plurality of cells comprising alternating front and rear projections extending outwardly in front of and behind a median plane, with each projection having a bonding surface area or land configured to be bonded with corresponding external metal sheets on both sides of the formed metal core. A plurality of micro-abrasions or indentations are formed on the bonding lands, allowing stronger bonding joints to be formed between the metal core and the external metal sheets by facilitating improved capillary action by the metal core during the bonding process.
US07648056B1 Selective soldering bath
A solder machine uses various linear actuators to move a PWB carrier in three degrees of freedom relative to a solder bath, to facilitate safe loading and unloading of PWBs onto the carrier while the carrier is distanced from the bath, and then to move the carrier over the bath, lower it, and tilt it as necessary to effect soldering.
US07648055B2 Surgical stapling apparatus with powered articulation
The surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly, an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly, and an articulation mechanism for articulating a tool assembly. The articulation mechanism includes a first gear rotatably mounted on a transmission shaft and configured to engage a second gear, a clutch interconnecting the second gear and a main shaft; and a yoke shaft coupled to the main shaft and adapted to linearly advance a J-channel, the J-channel operatively connected to an articulation link. A motor assembly may rotate the transmission shaft of the articulation mechanism. Alternatively, the articulation mechanism may include an articulation knob. Users may manually rotate the articulation knob to articulate the tool assembly of the surgical stapling apparatus.
US07648052B2 Viscous medium feeder
A viscous medium feeder, which has an inlet, an outlet, a tubular portion, a rotatable cylindrical shaft arranged in and extending coaxially with the tubular portion, and a drive motor connected to the shaft. The tubular portion has an internal thread, which is connected, at one end thereof, to the inlet, and, at the other end thereof, to the outlet. Further, the tubular portion is elastic, and the shaft abuts the inner wall portions of the tubular portion.
US07648047B2 Rotary screw escapement device and methods of use thereof
Apparatus that receives multiple screws serially from a vibrating bowl with a single exit ramp, collects a plurality, e.g., six, of screws and distributes the plurality of screws simultaneously to different tubes in one assembly. A rotary holder having a plurality of notches for receiving and holding screws, receives the screws serially from a feeder rail coupled to a vibrating screw feed bowl. After the notches have filled with screws, the screws are released into a corresponding plurality of exit tubes, where the screws may be fed (e.g., by air pressure) to a screw applicator device coupled to a distal end of the exit tubes.
US07648044B2 Sheet product dispenser
A sheet product dispenser includes a housing adapted to house sheet products therein, the housing having an arching wall, a first planar wall disposed in contact with the arching wall, and a second planar wall disposed in contact with the arching wall and the first planar wall; an opening disposed in the first planar wall or the second planar wall, the opening having a size sufficient to allow dispensing of the sheet products there-through; and an access panel forming a portion of the arching wall.
US07648041B2 Gasket for precision-packaging substrate container
A uniquely shaped gasket (6) suitable for a container for storage of substrate plates requiring precision packaging. When such plates are stored into a container body (2), and a container lid (3) is closed and then a lid lock is applied, a gasket's outward ledge (6b, 6c, 6d) is pressed downward by an outward adjacent surface (3f) and deformed; consequently, the end of the ledge's tip (6d) will extend to fall in a seal channel (2d), in other words, to abut on a sectionally downward concave (2d), wherein the gasket (6) still keeps its elastic resiliency. As a result, if an air pressure difference occurs, the tip end (6d) will shift its abutting point. While the tip end (6d) moves, a minimum gap between the tip end (6d) and the channel surface (2d) occurs, and this gap will act as ventilation route to equalize the air pressure difference.
US07648035B2 Storage rack for glass sheets
A storage rack is provided for storing a plurality of articles such as glass sheets. The storage rack includes a substantially horizontal portion, and a substantially vertical portion. The substantially horizontal portion of the rack includes one or more flexible supports, each of which includes at least one channel defined therein. Along at least part of the channel, a plurality of slits are provided in the flexible support so as to define a plurality of flexible lips or tabs. The lips or tabs are designed so that when a glass sheets is inserted into the channel, the lips or tabs support the sheet against movement in multiple directions.
US07648032B2 Effective reductive bleaching of mineral slurries
Disclosed herein are a method of reductively bleaching a mineral slurry comprising adding in the mineral slurry an effective amount of a formamidine sulfinic acid (FAS) and an effective amount of a borohydride to reductively bleach the mineral slurry, compositions comprising a mineral slurry, a FAS, and a borohydride, and final products comprising a mineral obtained by the method disclosed herein.
US07648031B2 Insert for protecting a product within a box
The invention provides a symmetrical, corrugated fibreboard blank which can be folded into an insert configured to be received within a shipping container. A product can be protected and secured by the insert. The symmetrical design results in ease and speed of assembly regardless of the orientation of the blank along the end user's packaging assembly line. The 5-sided shape of the insert produces void spaces that the products cannot reach, thus creating natural air cells within the insert. The ends, tabs and panels of the insert also provide for minimal movement of the product within the insert and further provide layers of cushioning upon impact. The insert can secure a variety of different sized products, is environmentally friendly, inexpensive and space-saving.
US07648030B2 Medical packaging
A sterile package for a medical device includes a container, an insert, and a retaining clip. The insert is releasably engaged with the medical device to constrain the position of the medical device relative to the insert. The retaining clip includes a base engaging the medical device and support arms extending from the base and encircling the insert to secure the insert in engagement with the medical device. The insert engages the container to constrain the position of the medical device relative to the container.
US07648028B2 Adapter for multiple capacity needle immobilizing device
An adapter for a multiple capacity needle immobilizing device having a body portion and entry holes for allowing the distal ends of sharp needles to enter the body includes a base having a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion having apertures positioned to align with the entry holes of the immobilizing device. A non-circular funnel projects upwardly from each of the entry holes to a funnel opening in the top portion of the adapter. The funnel opening is larger when measured perpendicularly to a line extending through the apertures of the adapter than when measured along this line. Structure is provided for connecting the adapter to the needle immobilizing device.
US07648026B2 Packaging assembly for containing and shipping articles
Disclosed is a packaging assembly for securing an item in a carton. A top cap, a bottom pad and if desired, one or more middle pads, each include a board and a plurality of clips secured to the board. The clips are arranged to engage the item at spaced apart locations around the top and bottom portion of the item, respectively. In an alternative embodiment, one of the legs of one or more of the clips has a ledge projecting outwardly to engage a surface of the item. In yet another embodiment, only one of the top cap and bottom pad includes clips to position and retain the item in the carton. In addition, the multiple clips may be formed as an integral unit.
US07648025B1 Arrow and bow storage and transportation apparatus
An arrow and bow storage and transportation apparatus includes a lower housing that has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall has an upper edge defining an opening into the interior. A first cover is hingedly coupled to the peripheral wall and positionable over the opening in a closed position. A perimeter wall is attached to and extends upwardly from the first cover. The first cover and the perimeter wall define an upper housing. The perimeter wall has a top edge defining an aperture into an interior of the upper housing. A second cover is hingedly coupled to the perimeter wall. The second cover is positionable in a closed position extending over the aperture or an open position exposing the aperture. A plurality of arrows is removably positioned in the upper housing and a bow is removably positioned in the lower housing.
US07648024B2 Pocket-sized, hand-held container for consumer items having a receptacle for used product, sealed tray, and thumb ridge on lid
Provided is a pocket-sized, hand-held container including a receptacle at least partially housed in an outer housing and a tray, contained within the outer housing and positioned around the receptacle. Preferably, the tray is sealed with a membrane. The receptacle is used to contain spent product. Preferably, the outer housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing. A lid in the upper housing slides open to reveal an openable window in the membrane. In an embodiment, at least one thumb ridge is located on the lid to facilitate opening and closing of the lid.
US07648023B2 Endoscope pre-clean kit
An endoscope pre-cleaning kit has a sealed, flexible pouch having front and back sidewall panels and a bottom gusset panel. The sidewall panels are superimposed over one another and sealed together proximate to their top and side peripheral edges to define a top seal and two opposing side seals. The sidewall panels are sealed to the bottom gusset panel proximate to their bottom peripheral edges to define a gusseted bottom portion such that the pouch is adapted to stand upright. The kit also includes a pre-diluted detergent contained within the pouch, and an absorbent pad adapted to absorb a portion of the detergent. The pouch includes a portion adapted to be opened in order to access the detergent.
US07648019B2 Conveyor belt scraper
A conveyor belt cleaning device which can handle conveyor belts with damaged areas, mechanical joints, and/or head pulleys with profile spaces causing the conveyor belt to run unevenly, is provided. The scraper blade is attached to a T-shaped element which has pressure applied by an air bladder held within a housing. The T-shaped element moves freely within the housing to permit movement of the scraper blade in a direction tangential to as well as perpendicular to the conveyor belt.
US07648016B2 Currency validator
A method of deriving a function for classifying items of currency. The method comprises processing training data vectors corresponding to features of a plurality of currency items, and derives a support vector machine classification function involving a plurality of support vectors.
US07648014B2 One-way clutch and electric parking brake device using the same
In a one-way clutch as used preferably in an electric parking brake device, a sector-shape input cam provided bodily with an input rotational member is inserted into a sector-shape cutout of an output cam provided bodily with an output rotational member, with clearances secured in the circumferential direction between circumferentially end surfaces of the input and output cams. A coil spring is placed in an annular space between an internal surface of a stationary cylinder member and external surfaces of the input and output cams and is provided at both ends thereof with curved portions which are placed respectively in the clearances. A cam surface is formed on a part of each circumferentially inner end surface of the cutout. The cam surface is contactable with a part of the curved portion facing therewith for generating, in addition to a force expanding the outer diameter of the coil spring, another force which pressures the neighborhood of the curved portion of the coil spring on the internal surface of the cylinder member thereby to additionally prevent the rotation transmission from the output rotational member toward the input rotational member.
US07648013B2 Oil pressure supply in an automatic transmission
An automatic transmission supplies oil pressure to a hydraulic servo of a second clutch through an oil pressure supply passage extending through a first drum and a second drum, the oil pressure supply passage including a plurality of first oil holes formed in the first drum at equal, circumferential intervals, a plurality of second oil holes formed in the second drum at equal, circumferential intervals, and an annular oil passage formed between the first and second drums and connecting the first oil holes and the second oil holes. The number of first oil holes is different from the number of second oil holes.
US07648012B2 Dual clutch arrangement
A dual clutch arrangement for a dual clutch transmission for motor vehicles, having a first and a second friction clutch which are each fluidically actuable. A first piston arrangement serves to actuate the first friction clutch and has a first piston, a first piston space and a first centrifugal force equalizing space. A second piston arrangement serves to actuate the second friction clutch and has a second piston, a second piston space and a second centrifugal force equalizing space. The piston spaces and the centrifugal force equalizing spaces are situated in each case on opposite sides of the associated piston and are connected by means of feed lines to a valve arrangement.
US07648010B2 Starting clutch
A starting clutch includes a clutch inner that is secured to and supported by a drive plate boss fitted to a crankshaft near the end thereof. A one-way clutch is fitted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion extending inwardly. A clutch outer forms an annular portion that covers the outer periphery of the drive plate. A hollow disk portion covers the inner surface and is rotatably supported by the crankshaft. The one-way clutch is clamped by the inner peripheral edge of the hollow disk portion of the clutch outer from the outer peripheral side in cooperation with the cylindrical portion of the drive plate boss, and the inner peripheral edge of the hollow disk portion of the clutch outer abuts against a flange portion of the drive plate boss extending along the inner surface of the drive plate in the centrifugal direction thereof.
US07647997B2 Regeneration and brake management system
A regeneration and brake management system includes a prime mover, an energy storage device associated with the prime mover, and a regenerative braking system including a controller and at least one friction brake, wherein the regenerative braking system is configured to at least partially disable the at least one friction brake during regenerative braking.
US07647990B2 Method for drilling with a wellbore liner
A method for drilling with a liner includes: providing a liner string including an upper portion extending towards surface and a lower portion; drilling to a depth with the liner string; disconnecting the upper portion from the lower portion; pulling the upper portion from the well; and leaving the lower portion in the well to line the wellbore. A drilling assembly for drilling a borehole with a borehole liner includes: an upper liner string; a lower liner string including an upper end and a lower end; a releasable connector connecting the lower liner string to the upper liner string; and a drilling assembly connectable at the lower end of the lower liner string.
US07647989B2 Backup safety flow control system for concentric drill string
A technique is presented for providing a double-barrier to formation fluids during drilling operations with a concentric drill string having an inner bore and an annulus. A primary flow control system is used to provide a first barrier to formation fluids in the inner bore and annulus of the drill string. A backup flow control system is used to provide a second barrier to formation fluids. The backup flow control system comprises a backup inner bore shutoff valve and a backup annulus shutoff valve. The backup inner bore shutoff valve is dropped from the surface through the inner bore of the drill string. The backup inner bore shutoff valve has spring-biased tabs that are configured to extend outward to contact an inner surface profile of the inner bore of the drill string. The backup annulus shutoff valve may be provided with the profile to receive the spring-biased tabs from the backup inner bore shutoff valve. When the tabs of the backup inner bore shutoff valve are disposed opposite the profile, the tabs of the backup inner bore shutoff valve are extended outward into the profile by a spring assembly, securing the backup inner bore shutoff valve within the drill string.
US07647985B2 Hammer drill
It is an object of the invention to provide an improvement in ease of operation of a driving mode switching mechanism in a hammer drill. According to the invention, a representative hammer drill includes a driving mode switching mechanism which has an operating part, a first switching member and a second switching member. The operating part can be turned to at least three rotating positions in its circumferential direction, while the operating part can be turned 360° on the rotation axis in the both directions. Thus, the user can select the desired driving mode in the shortest turning distance without passing though an unnecessary driving mode position. Therefore, ease of operation in mode change can be enhanced.
US07647983B2 Machine with automated linkage positioning system
A linkage positioning system for a machine is disclosed. The linkage positioning system has a lock pin, a linkage member having a plurality of holes configured to receive the lock pin, an actuator configured to selectively extend and retract the lock pin, and a control module in communication with the actuator. The control module is configured to receive a request for lock pin engagement with the linkage member, and retract the lock pin from a first of the plurality of holes in the linkage member. The control module is also configured to move the linkage member to align a second of the plurality of holes with the lock pin, and extend the lock pin into the second of the plurality of holes.
US07647982B2 Scraper with rotating blade for engaging a rotating disk
A scraper for mounting to a tool bar of a farm implement having at least one rotating disk for tilling soil, including a support mounted to the tool bar and a shaft pivotally attached to and extending from the support where the shaft has a central axis. A scraper blade is rotatably attached to an end of the shaft and the scraper blade comprises a perimeter wherein the shaft pivots to rotatably engage a side surface of the rotating disk to prevent soil from accumulating on the side surface and prevents debris from accumulating between the side surface and the scraper blade.
US07647978B2 Perforating gun connector
Controlled Buoyancy Perforating technology for highly deviated and substantially horizontal wellbores may include long perforating guns assembled on a rig floor from a multiplicity of light weight and highly engineered shaped charge carrier joints. Tubular housings for such light weight joints may be fabricated from composite materials having steel transition collars. The collars are designed for an angularly coordinated, bayonet assembly and, in most cases, rapid disassembly. The internal volume of each joint is environmentally sealed by a plurality of O-rings. Sleeves that overlap abutting ends of adjacent carrier joint housings are secured by snap rings. Set screws into the sleeve ring channels release the sleeve from a housing. Individual shaped charge units and cooperative fusing are assembled in a light weight inner loading tube having an alignment collar to secure the angular and axial position of the loading tube relative to the transition collars.
US07647976B2 System and method for steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD)-based heavy oil well production
A system for steam-assisted gravity drainage for heavy oil production has a first well, a second well, a first platform connected to the well head of the first well so as to inject steam into the first well, and a second platform connected to the well head of the second well for producing heavy oil from the second well. The platforms are arranged in parallel flow relationship. Each of the platform has a first level with flow lines extending longitudinally therealong and a second level located above the first level and having piping connected to the flow lines of the first level. The second level includes valves and controllers cooperative with the piping. The platforms are modular in nature and can be connected to other platforms.
US07647973B2 Collapse arrestor tool
A tool is employed with a subsea wellhead assembly for preventing the collapse of a wear bushing located in a drill-through tubular member due to external test forces being applied to it. The tool has a connector that connects to the drill-through tubular member. A stem extends downward from the connector and has a reacting member at its lower end. The reacting member engages an inner diameter of the wear bushing to resist inwardly directed forces due to fluid pressure on the exterior of the wear bushing. The tool can be incorporated with a running tool or with a blowout preventer isolation test tool.
US07647968B2 Screen saver sub
A transition piece is provided near an end of a screen assembly to allow transition from a lighter weight and collapse resistant pipe under the screen sections to a heavier wall and higher collapse strength pipe between the top of the screen and the isolation packer. When a screen out occurs, the heavier wall pipe can handle the new pressures that are applied to the formation and to the tubular to try to collapse it. The screen portion can still be built with thinner wall pipe as the screen out condition protects that pipe from collapse pressure because the fully gravel packed annular space keeps the surface applied pump pressure from exerting a collapse force on the base pipe under the screen.
US07647962B2 Assembly and method of alternative pumping using hollow rods without tubing
Assembly and method for extracting fluids, preferably crude oil, from a drilled well within a geological formation by means of reciprocating pumping with hollow sucker rods. The assembly includes: a) a stationary bottom set that attached to the casing at the desired depth and providing the rod pump anchoring system; b) a reciprocating axial movement rod pump having an anchoring system and a centralizer; c) a centralized hollow rod string extending within the well, which is connected to the mobile member of the pump; d) a hollow polished rod connected to the hollow rod string and linked to a system that imparts the reciprocating axial movement to the pump; e) a production bridge connecting the polished rod to the driving tubing through rotating joints, and f) a rigid head that provides a venting exit of the annular space formed between the string and the casing.
US07647961B2 Heat pipe with axial and lateral flexibility
A flexible heat pipe is disclosed for use with evaporator and condenser elements for removing heat from electronic components. The flexible heat pipe comprises a bellows member fixed at one end to a condenser member and at an opposite end to an evaporator member. A cable artery is disposed within the bellows and is fixed at one end to the evaporator, and slidingly engages the condenser at the opposite end. The bellows acts as a flexible vapor envelope, and the cable artery acts as a flexible wick for directing condensed working fluid from the condenser back to the evaporator. The sliding connection between the cable artery and the condenser allows relative axial movement, and the inherent flexibility of the cable artery allows relative lateral movement. Thus, the condenser and evaporator can move in all directions with respect to each other, which can provide desired vibration isolation of the two components.
US07647956B1 Portable carpentry workshop
A portable rolling carpentry workshop includes a table saw mounted on a sliding means to allow the blade of the saw to be shifted to the left or to the right of the longitudinal centerline of the workshop so that more supporting surface is available on either side of the blade to allow cutting large workpieces on a relatively narrow tabletop surface. The workshop of the invention is sized to allow easy maneuvering through the narrow hallways of apartment buildings but affords the functionality of larger worktables due to this unique ability to slide the table saw. Also provided is an extendable miter saw table located above the main tabletop surface and allowing passing of the longer workpieces underneath thereof when ripping with table saw. Therefore the use of both the table saw and the miter saw can be accomplished at the same time without the need to rearrange the configuration of the power tools on the workshop.
US07647954B2 Connector apparatus and method for connecting the same for controlling fluid dispensing
A connector apparatus for controlling fluid dispensing/transmission that includes a control component for communication between couplers thereof. A first coupler has a transmitter, and is releasably connected with a mating reader coupler that has a transmitter and fluid control device to exchange information with the transmitter of the first coupler. The transmitters communicate and are operated by wireless means such as by RF devices. Upon confirming that the first coupler is properly coupled to the mating coupler and that the first coupler has a proper identification, the fluid control device controls fluid flow, using the transmitters of the first coupler and the mating reader coupler, under predetermined parameters, e.g., pressure, temperature, duration, and flow rate, as indicated in the first coupler.
US07647953B2 Unspent automotive fluid recovery system
A system for reclaiming residual unspent automotive fluid having a fluid receiver which seats open containers of the automotive fluid in an inverted orientation to allow influences of gravity to self-drain the open containers. The fluid receiver accumulates the residual unspent automotive fluid into classifying compartments. Each compartment can be individually pumped or drained of the accumulated and stored residual automotive fluid.
US07647950B2 Beverage bottling plant with a beverage bottle filling machine for filling beverage bottles, and filling elements for the beverage bottle filling machine
A beverage bottling plant with a beverage bottle filling machine for filling beverage bottles, as well as the filling elements for the beverage bottle filling machine.
US07647948B2 Composite spoolable tube
A spoolable composite tube capable of being spooled onto a reel for storage and for use in oil field applications. The spoolable tube exhibits unique anistropic characteristics that provide improved burst and collapse pressures, increased tensile strength, compression strength, and load carrying capacity, while still remaining sufficiently bendable to be spooled onto a reel in an open bore configuration. The spoolable composite tube can include an inner liner, an interface layer, fiber composite layers, a pressure barrier layer, and an outer protective layer. The fiber composite layers can have a unique triaxial braid structure.
US07647945B2 Baffle for coolant passages in plastic injection molds
An baffle plug comprising a base and a blade extending therefrom. The baffle plug is used in a bore to divide the bore into longitudinally extending passages and cause the liquid to flow serially back and forth through the bore. The blade may comprise various fluid directing structures providing for efficient fluid flow across the surfaces of the blade. The blade may also comprise one or more structures which create turbulent flow of the fluid flowing across the surface of the blade.
US07647944B1 Combinational valve system
A combinational valve system for efficiently controlling the flow of a fluid through a valve. The combinational valve system includes a channel member including a first port and a second port fluidly connected to the first port, a first valve member attached to the channel member and a second valve member attached to the channel member. The first valve member regulates a flow of the fluid through the first port and the second valve member regulates a flow of the fluid through the second port.
US07647942B2 Constant flow rate valve
A constant flow rate valve has a housing in which a rotatable sleeve is positioned between the valve's inlet and outlet. Apertures in the sleeve move into alignment with the valve's inlet and outlet upon sleeve rotation to establish the fluid flow rate. A piston is movable longitudinally within the sleeve bore. The piston has openings which align with the apertures in the sleeve upon longitudinal motion of the piston. Pressure ducts connect each end of the sleeve to the inlet and outlet. The piston moves in response to relative pressure changes in the inlet and outlet communicated by the pressure ducts. The area of overlap between the piston's openings and the sleeve's apertures varies with piston motion to ensure a constant flow rate in spite of relative inlet and outlet pressure changes. The ends of the sleeve are in fluid communication to control the response sensitivity of the piston.
US07647941B2 Air pulser
An air pulser includes a housing. The interior of the housing is divided into an air supply chamber and an exhaust chamber by a diaphragm formed with an aperture. An air injection tube is provided in the air supply chamber and configured to be selectively opened and closed by the diaphragm. The exhaust chamber is divided into first and second chambers by a valve plate formed with a valve hole. In the second chamber, a guide tube is fixedly mounted in which a valve body is slidably supported. The valve body carries a permanent magnet adapted to be attracted to the valve plate and carrying a suction disk. A seal member is disposed between the guide tube and the valve plate. A plurality of radial grooves having a V-shaped cross-section are formed on the surface of the valve plate facing the suction plate at its radially inner portion.
US07647939B2 Water inlet device for a faucet
A water inlet device for a faucet includes a valve seat, a connecting pipe, and a plurality of locking screws. The valve seat includes a surrounding wall having a plurality of protrusions, each of the protrusions being provided with a respective screw hole, a base wall cooperating with the surrounding wall to define a valve space, and a branch pipe extending from the surrounding wall. The connecting pipe has a positioning plate portion disposed to abut against the base wall of the valve seat and formed with a plurality of fastener holes, a guide pipe portion, and an inner hole in spatial communication with the valve space in the valve seat. The locking screws extend respectively through the fastener holes in the positioning plate portion of the connecting pipe and engage threadedly and respectively the screw holes in the protrusions of the surrounding wall of the valve seat.
US07647937B2 Assistive walking device with multiple support spheres
An Assistive Walking Device that provides added support to persons requiring a mobility aid. Three or more stiff or flexible spherical or partial spherical-shaped structures are attached to a support or frame structure that includes a handle or grip. The three or more spherical structures attached to the support structure or frame, absorb shock during the walking motion and grip the ground, thus improving walking stability. The three or more spherical or partial spherical-shaped structures can vary in size, composition, construction design, pattern arrangement and pliability characteristics, and the frame or support structure to which the spherical structures are attached is variable in design according to the specific application requirements of the person requiring the mobility aid.
US07647934B2 Flosser device
The present invention relates to a dental cleaning device, particularly to a flosser device for cleaning teeth gaps. The flosser device according to the present invention removes food particles from different tooth gaps by mounting the flosser element to the flosser element longitudinal connecting slot and the flosser element transverse connecting slot to adjust the position of the flosser. The flosser element base is disposed in the gradually narrowing flosser element connecting slots, so that the flosser element arms diverse outwardly to tension a length of flosser between the flosser element arms. Besides, the center of the flosser element connecting slot is hollow to form a base receiving hole so that the base press-release point projects through the base receiving hole out of the handle after the flosser element base is mounted on the flosser element connecting mechanism, and a user can draw out the flosser element by pressing the base press-release point for replacement.
US07647933B2 Hair coloring applicator
A hair coloring applicator has an applicator body having a top surface and a bottom surface. A neck receiving bore in the bottom surface is adapted to engage a neck of a container. The hair coloring applicator further includes a plurality of solution application prongs, a plurality of comb elements, and a plurality of distribution brushes that extend upwardly from the top surface. A plurality of solution application ducts communicate between the neck receiving bore and a proximal ends of each of the plurality of solution application prongs.
US07647927B2 Self-contained breathing system
A breathing apparatus is operable in self-contained and filtered modes of operation. In the self-contained mode of operation, a breathable gas is delivered to a user from a self-contained source of breathing gas. In a second, filtered mode of operation, a suction source draws ambient air through a filter removing contaminants and delivers filtered ambient air to the user. A method of delivering air to a subject is also provided.
US07647919B2 Direct fuel injection control with variable injector current profile
A direct fuel injection control for an internal combustion engine includes first and second controllers. The first controller has a microprocessor and generates injection timing and duration signals on injector select lines. The second controller is a state machine including injector controls that receive the injection timing and duration signals and control injector current according to sets of injector current profile defining parameters received from the first controller on a serial bus and stored in register sets in the second controller. The second controller includes switching apparatus that can quickly change the connection of each injector control between different register sets to select different injector current profiles in successive injection pulses. Several alternative ways of providing register select signals are disclosed, and these may be incorporated in the same second controller for selection by the first controller.
US07647918B2 Radial piston pump for common rail injection systems
A high-pressure radial piston pump for common rail injection systems has a pump housing (1), a drive shaft (2), at least one pump piston (3) which can move in a radial direction in relation to the drive shaft (2) and a high pressure accumulator (4) integrated into the high-pressure radial piston pump. The high pressure accumulator (4) is embodied in the form of a ring.
US07647913B2 Combustion engine powered working machine
A portable, hand-held, combustion engine powered working machine comprises a tool unit (1) including a rotatable working tool (3), and a machine unit (2) including an internal combustion engine (11), an assembly (16) for supplying air and fuel to the engine, and an air cleaning system, which comprises a filter assembly (10) including at least two filters (84, 85), referred to as pre-filter (84) and main filter (85), for cleaning the air that shall be supplied to the engine. The pre-filter is accommodated in an upper filter chamber (86) between a top cover (83) and a pre-filter bottom (9), and the main filter is accommodated in a lower filter chamber under the pre-filter bottom, said lower filter chamber being defined by the underside of the pre-filter bottom, a second filter bottom (125) at a distance from the pre-filter bottom, and a closed, circumferential wall (120) between the pre-filter bottom and the second filter bottom, said closed, circumferential wall forming a downwards directed protrusion on the underside of the upper filter bottom.
US07647907B2 Induction driven ignition system
An induction driven ignition system with an electrode projecting into the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The electrode is adjacent to but electrically insulated from an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 kHz to 500 kHz. Thermal insulation is also provided between the electrode and adjacent structure of the head. The induction driven ignition system causes the electrodes to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The electrodes may be formed in elongated edges throughout the combustion chamber to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.
US07647900B2 Engine cooling apparatus
An engine cooling apparatus includes a coolant inlet of a block water jacket formed in a cylinder block, wherein coolant is introduced into the block water jacket through the coolant inlet, a flow-directing plate that is disposed in the block water jacket at a position downstream of the coolant inlet, and that directs the coolant, which has been introduced into the block water jacket through the coolant inlet, toward a head water jacket and a control portion that controls inflow of the coolant from the head water jacket into the block water jacket.
US07647899B2 Apparatus with mixed fuel separator and method of separating a mixed fuel
In an apparatus comprising a fuel tank, an internal combustion engine, and a separator positioned fluidically between the fuel tank and the internal combustion engine, a method of operating the apparatus is disclosed, wherein the method comprises inputting a mixed fuel containing a hydrocarbon component and an oxygenated component into the separator, separating the fuel in the separator into a hydrocarbon-enriched fuel fraction and an oxygenated fuel component-enriched fuel fraction, and controlling an amount of the hydrocarbon-enriched fuel fraction and an amount of the oxygenated fuel component-enriched fuel fraction provided to the engine based upon an engine operating condition.
US07647895B2 Systems and methods for controlling a water heater
A control for a water heater is provided that comprises a pressure switch for sensing a predetermined level of airflow sufficient for maintaining proper burner operation, and a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank. The control further comprises a processor for controlling the operation of the burner to maintain the water temperature above a predetermined value. When the processor receives a signal from the pressure switch or temperature switch indicating a malfunction, the processor shuts down the burner and subsequently attempts to restart the burner. The processor will lock-out further burner operation after a predetermined number of consecutive shut downs occurs, and will communicate any malfunction information to a remote display device.
US07647887B2 Thin film forming apparatus
A thin film forming apparatus includes: a first electrode having a first discharge surface and a second electrode having a second discharge surface, the first discharge surface facing opposite to the second discharge surface to form a discharge space; a gas supply unit for supplying a gas including a thin film formation gas to the discharge space; a power source for discharging and activating the gas by applying a high frequency electric field across the discharge space; and a film transporting mechanism for transporting a protecting film for preventing at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode from being exposed to the activated gas, wherein a thin film is formed by exposing a substrate to the activated gas and, the protecting film is transported in contact with at least one of the first discharge surface and the second discharge surface and with at least a part of a surface other than the discharge surface which continues to the discharge surface.
US07647886B2 Systems for depositing material onto workpieces in reaction chambers and methods for removing byproducts from reaction chambers
Systems for depositing material onto workpieces in reaction chambers and methods for removing byproducts from reaction chambers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a gas phase reaction chamber, a first exhaust line coupled to the reaction chamber, first and second traps each in fluid communication with the first exhaust line, and a vacuum pump coupled to the first exhaust line to remove gases from the reaction chamber. The first and second traps are operable independently to individually and/or jointly collect byproducts from the reaction chamber. It is emphasized that this Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US07647884B2 Slit coater with a standby unit for a nozzle and a coating method using the same
A slit coater with a standby unit for a nozzle and a coating method using the same prevents environmental pollution by solvent steam and simultaneously maintains the slit nozzle in an optimum state. When in standby and not performing a coating application, the slit nozzle is kept in a standby unit having a solvent atmosphere therein. The slit coater includes: a table on which an object to be processed is positioned; a slit nozzle for applying a coating solution onto a surface of the object; and a standby unit into which the slit nozzle is loaded when on standby, and having a shutter at the opening thereof to maintain an inner space in a substantially hermetically sealed solvent atmosphere. The atmosphere in the standby unit is configured to prevent hardening of the coating solution in the slit nozzle and thereby maintain the slit nozzle in the optimum state for providing coating applications.
US07647881B2 Dimensional enhancement lens
A lens for use with a display panel configured to emit light and display images is provided. The lens has a light-emitting surface and a plurality of enhancement portions. A first enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a first image displayed on the display screen. The first enhancement portion is further configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted by the display screen and emit the light through the light-emitting surface of the lens. A second enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a second image displayed on the display screen.
US07647880B2 Adjustable boat leaning post mounting system
The present invention relates to an adjustable mounting system for a leaning post for a boat having a pair of side-by-side seat posts. The leaning post is provided with a pair of brackets to which hollow cylindrical support posts can be adjustably mounted. The spacing between the support posts can be adjusted to align with the spacing of a pair of conventional hollow cylindrical side-by-side vertical seat posts. A pair of spaced apart parallel slots in the mounting brackets receive bolts that secure the support posts to the mounting bracket and allow the distance between the support posts to be adjusted to align with the distance between the seat posts.
US07647873B1 Wheelchair/accessory system
A wheelchair has a frame with rails and wheels. An accessory is adapted to be removably coupled to a rail. The accessory has a short downwardly extending cylindrical projection. A coupling assembly extends between the accessory and the frame. The coupling assembly includes a bottom subassembly. The bottom subassembly is adapted to encompass a rail. The rail has a vertically extending lower component. The lower component has a cylindrical vertical recess. The coupling assembly also includes an extension subassembly. The extension subassembly is provided between the bottom subassembly and the accessory. A supplemental cylindrical recess is provided in the accessory above its projection. The recess is adapted to receive a supplemental component.
US07647872B2 Folding, auto-leveling extension table
An extension table apparatus with automatic height adjustment and folding capability. This apparatus is primarily designed for use with portable or stationary frame-mounted woodworking equipment such as planers, joiners, drum sanders and power saws. With one end of the table attached to a height-adjustable surface such as a planer bed, the apparatus uses a leveling assembly extending beneath the table to support and maintain the other end of the table. Simple lever principles and strategically located pivot points keep the table coplanar with the planer bed as it is raised or lowered. The leveling assembly transfers most of the weight of the workpiece and table to the floor, instead of the machine. The apparatus attaches only to the machine permitting mobility of the apparatus and machine. The design of mounting brackets, length of parts and pivoting action allows folding of the apparatus to facilitate storage.
US07647871B2 Railway anchor applicator
A railway anchor applicator for applying an anchor to a rail includes a frame configured for movement in a specified direction of travel along a track, and a workhead assembly movably mounted on the frame for movement toward and away from the rail. Also provided is an anchor receiving mechanism configured for movement between a first position receiving an anchor from an anchor input and a second position placing the anchor away from the anchor input. An anchor positioning mechanism moves between a retracted and extended position for positioning the anchor adjacent to the rail at either the field or gage side of the rail. An anchor clipping mechanism engages the anchor onto the rail by applying pressure on the anchor from the side of the rail and compresses the anchor between components of the anchor clipping mechanism so that compressive forces act on the anchor transversely across the rail.
US07647866B2 Griddle for cooking and preparing foods
A griddle for cooking and preparing foods and more specifically a griddle for use with a gas or a propane outdoor grill or barbeque. The griddle can include a cooking surface, a trip tray, a first sidewall, a rear wall, a second sidewall, a first cross brace, and a second cross brace. The first sidewall can include a first upper sidewall and a first lower sidewall. The rear wall can include an upper rear wall and a lower rear wall. The second sidewall can include a second upper sidewall and a second lower sidewall. The griddle can include at least one aperture located in each of the first lower sidewall, the lower rear wall, the second lower sidewall, the first cross brace, and the second cross brace. The griddle can be made of a metal, which can be a stainless steel.
US07647863B2 Piston pin bearing for pistons of an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a piston pin bearing of an internal combustion engine, in which a cylindrical piston pin is mounted. The aim of the invention is to create a hub bore shape that is improved compared to prior art in order to significantly reduce mechanical stress in the piston and thus extend the service life of the piston. Furthermore, the shape is to prevent noise from being generated in the piston pin bearing. The aims are achieved by the fact that the surface line of the highly oval outer surface, which runs in the zenith of the hub, extends at an angle to the hub axis from a radially outward point to a radially inward point on the piston side such that the greatest degree of ovalness defined by the oval diameter thereof is created at the respective inner ends of the hub bores and does not exceed a predefined value of the oval diameter.
US07647859B2 Swash ring compressor
A variable displacement compressor is disclosed. The compressor includes a crankcase for receiving a fluid. The crankcase has a plurality of compression chambers in which the fluid is compressed. A plurality of pistons disposed within the crankcase and are configured for reciprocal movement within the plurality of chambers to compress and pump the fluid. Further, a rotor assembly having a drive shaft and a rotor, wherein the rotor has a first pivot arm support member extending from a first surface of the rotor. A sleeve is slidably engaged with the drive shaft and configured for axial movement along a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. A swash ring is coupled to the plurality of pistons and to the rotor by means of a pivot arm. Rotary motion of the swash ring and rotor causes reciprocal motion of the plurality of pistons within the plurality of chambers.
US07647854B2 Method for machining elements with non-circular cross section, in particular for axial couplings for mechanical connection, and coupling made applying said method
Described herein is an apparatus for machining elements for axial couplings for mechanical connection, with non-circular cross section, which comprises: a work spindle (1) fitted on the shaft (103) of appropriate means (3) for actuation in rotation; a tool (7) guided by appropriate means (5, 6) in the displacements both along the axis perpendicular to that of rotation of the spindle and along the axis parallel to that of rotation of the spindle; means (105, 106) for actuation of the displacements of said tool on said guide means (5, 6); and a central control unit (4) connected to said displacement means (105, 106) of said tool and to said means for actuation in rotation (3) of said spindle (1), capable, via an appropriate program, of supervising turning of the side coupling surface of said elements for axial couplings for angular connection.
US07647848B2 Integrated system for simultaneous inspection and manipulation
A base unit for integrating an imaging device, such as an atomic force microscope, and a manipulation device, such as a nano-manipulator. The integration of the two devices permits one device to perform both imaging and manipulation simultaneously. The simultaneous execution of these two tasks increases the rate at which experiments can be conducted, thereby improving the throughput of the device. Also, the simultaneous execution of these two tasks allows imaging during manipulation, which may be desirable or beneficial in some circumstances.
US07647847B2 Liquid sample suctioning device and analyzer
The present invention provides a liquid sample suctioning device capable of simplifying a structure thereof, preventing clogging of a pipette and contamination of a liquid sample, and closing a hole formed in a lid after the liquid sample is suctioned. The liquid sample suctioning device is adapted to suction the liquid sample in the container by piercing through the lid mounted on an opening of the container, comprising a piercer having a leading end insertable into the container by piercing through the lid and forming a deformation piece deformable toward an inner side of the container in the lid, a pipette configured for suctioning the liquid sample in the container, a first driving part for moving up and down the piercer, and a second driving part for moving up and down the pipette along the piercer.
US07647844B2 Device and method of detecting flow rate/liquid kind, and device and method of detecting liquid kind
A flow rate/liquid type detecting method for detecting the flow rate of a fluid and, at the same time, detecting any one of or both the type of the fluid and the concentration of the fluid, characterized in that, by using a flow rate/liquid type detecting apparatus comprising: a main passage through which a fluid to be detected flows, an auxiliary passage branched from the main passage, and a flow rate/liquid type detecting sensor device provided in the auxiliary passage, is provided, and in conducting any one of or both the detection of the type of the fluid and the detection of the concentration of the fluid, the auxiliary passage opening/closing valve is closed, and the fluid is allowed to temporarily stay within the flow rate/liquid type detecting sensor device to conduct any one of or both the detection of the liquid type and the detection of the concentration, and in detecting the flow rate of the fluid detected, the auxiliary passage opening/closing valve is opened to allow the fluid to flow into the flow rate/liquid type detecting sensor device to detect the flow rate.
US07647842B1 Pressure-based fluid flow sensor
A volumetric fluid flow sensor (100) includes a flow channel (120) for flowing a fluid therein; and a diaphragm (110) having an outer surface within the flow channel (120). The diaphragm (110) includes at least one flow disrupting feature mechanically coupled to or emerging from the outer surface of the diaphragm (110). A sensing structure (126) is coupled to the diaphragm (110) for generating a sensing signal responsive to a pressure signal on the diaphragm (110).
US07647841B2 Process for operation of a Coriolis mass flow rate measurement device
A process for operating a Coriolis mass flow rate measurement device which has at least one measurement tube, the measurement tube being excited into vibrations with a predetermined excitation frequency and a predetermined excitation phase. The response phase which is achieved thereby and the rate of change of the response phase are detected and the excitation frequency is changed by the frequency amount which arises based on a predetermined function from the detected rate of change of the response phase. This makes it possible to maintain continuous measurement of the mass rate of flow even if two-phase flows occur.
US07647840B2 Plastic ultrasonic measurement section and corresponding measurement method
The present invention relates to a plastic ultrasonic measurement section (1) used for the flow measurement of fluids. It is equipped with two ultrasonic transmitting and receiving transducers (2, 3) spaced in the fluid flow direction and is characterized in that the sound is guidable in Z-shaped manner between the transmitting and receiving transducers (2, 3) by means of at least two reflectors (4). A description is given of a corresponding measurement method and a method for the one-piece production of a measurement section (1) by injection moulding.
US07647838B2 Sensor element, sensor device, object movement control device, object judgment device
A sensor element capable of appropriately detecting an external force operating three-dimensionally is provided. The sensor element has an electrically conductive elastic member whose electrical property changes when compressed or expanded by an external force, and a plurality of electrode elements, which are capable of receiving power supply, for measuring electric properties from outside. The plurality of electrode elements are grouped into one or more sets, each having a predetermined number of electrode elements, for measuring electrical properties, and the electrode elements constituting a set are arranged three-dimensionally inside and on the surface of the conductive elastic member.
US07647835B2 Pressure sensor stress isolation pedestal
A pressure sensor stress isolation pedestal including a pressure sensor mounted in a housing with a circuit board. The sensor is bonded to a relatively tall pedestal. The height of the pedestal creates a stiff mounting structure that isolates the sensor from mechanical stress. The pedestal is formed by making a recess or moat-like structure around the pressure sensor in the housing that supports the sensor. Preferred sensors are MEMS type Pressure Sensors.
US07647831B2 Method for measuring pressure inside an anatomical fluid system
A disclosed method determines fluid pressure inside a vessel without compromising the integrity of the vessel. A sensor is positioned in operative communication with the external wall of the vessel such that expansion of the external wall of the vessel exerts a force against the sensor that is directed substantially radially outward with respect to the vessel. A substantially radially inward force is caused to be directed against the sensor in response to the substantially radially outward force exerted by the external vessel wall. The sensor can thus be used to detect the magnitude of the substantially radially outward force.A disclosed apparatus determines fluid pressure inside a vessel without compromising the integrity of the vessel. The apparatus includes a sensor and a band operatively associated with the sensor and configured to at least partially encircle the vessel so as to retain the sensor in operative communication against the external wall of the vessel.
US07647828B2 Method for measuring and/or regulating the oscillation amplitude of an ultrasonic transmitter, and an ultrasonic welding device
The invention relates to a method for measuring and/or regulating the oscillation amplitude of an ultrasound oscillator of an ultrasound device. In order to be able to measure or regulate the oscillation amplitude of the ultrasound oscillator in a simple manner, it is proposed that a sensor capturing the oscillation amplitude be associated with at least one component element of the ultrasound oscillator.
US07647827B2 Machine and operating environment diagnostics, detection and profiling using sound
A method, system and program storage device are provided for machine diagnostics, detection and profiling using pressure waves, the method including profiling known sources, acquiring pressure wave data, analyzing the acquired pressure wave data, and detecting if the analyzed pressure wave data matches a profiled known source; the system including a processor, a pressure wave transducer in signal communication with the processor, a pressure wave analysis unit in signal communication with the processor, and a source or threat detection unit in signal communication with the processor; and the program storage device including program steps for profiling known sources, acquiring pressure wave data, analyzing the acquired pressure wave data, and detecting if the analyzed pressure wave data matches a profiled known source.
US07647826B2 Method and device for measuring operational density and/or operational sound velocity in a gaseous medium
A method for measuring operational density and/or operational sound velocity in a gaseous medium uses a sound transducer that is capable of vibrating, which is disposed in a housing in such a manner that chambers having the same volume are formed on both sides of the sound transducer, which are filled by the gaseous medium. The chambers are connected with one another by way of an open channel having defined dimensions. Using an exciter vibration applied to the sound transducer, the impedance of the sound transducer, which is influenced by the density of the gaseous medium, is determined within a frequency range that can be established, as a function of the exciter frequency. From this, the operational density and/or the operational sound velocity of the gaseous medium are determined using a plurality of characteristic frequencies of the sound transducer vibrating in the gaseous medium.
US07647820B2 Device for detecting leakage of liquid in tank
A device for detecting leakage of liquid in a tank, in which, even if the liquid in the tank is a low viscosity liquid, degradation in flow rate measurement accuracy by an indirectly heated flow rate meter can be suppressed, so that a very fine amount of leakage can be accurately detected for a long period without degradation in detection accuracy. The liquid in the tank that is led in and out from a liquid lead-in/lead-out section (12) is lead in and out from the lower end of a measurement fine tube (13b, 13b′, 13″) positioned in the flow rate measurement section (13). A measurement tube (17) of a liquid storage section (14) is connected to the upper end of the measurement fine tube. The measurement tube (17) has a larger cross-sectional area than the measurement fine tube. The device has a flow rate sensor section that is attached to the measurement fine tube and measures the flow rate of the liquid. The flow rate sensor section includes a heater (135) and temperature sensors (133, 134). The distance L1 in the measurement fine tube measured from a position corresponding to the heater (135) to an upper end opening of the measurement fine tube is not less than 20 mm and not more than 45 mm.
US07647818B2 Process for testing the tightness of containers
A process for testing the tightness of containers includes making available a first fluid in the container interior space that is different from a second fluid surrounding the container, creating a negative pressure in the container interior space, testing the interior surfaces of the container side wall for traces of second fluid penetration, and possibly localizing any entry points.
US07647817B2 Loss detection system for open channel networks
The invention discloses a loss detection system to determine and monitor containment losses for open channel networks (10). The system includes at least first and second flow regulators (26, 28) to allow flow of liquid into and out of at least one pool (10) respectively. First and second flow sensors co-operate with respective flow regulators (26, 28) and a computational means communicates with flow regulators (26, 28) and the flow sensors to control operation of flow regulators (26, 28). The computational means determines the containment losses by calculating the measured flow into at least one pool (10) through at least first flow regulator (26) and subtracting the measured flow out of at least one pool (10) through at least second regulator (28).
US07647814B2 Environment difference detector
An environment difference detector includes an elastic surface wave element equipped with a substrate including a surface having an annular surface acoustic wave circulating path, a surface acoustic wave exciting/receiving unit exciting a surface acoustic wave along the circular path and receiving the circulated surface acoustic wave, and a sensitive film disposed on the circular path to change an elastic nature in accordance with a change in an adjacent environment, a speed/intensity measuring unit measuring a circulating speed and intensity of the surface acoustic wave from an electric signal generated by the unit when the unit receives the circulating surface acoustic wave, and an environment evaluation unit evaluating an environment adjacent to the sensitive film from at least one of the circulating speed and the intensity measured by the unit.
US07647808B2 Apparatus for calibration of fluid-operated power torque tools
An apparatus for calibration of a fluid-operated power torque tool having a housing and a drive has a non-turnable torque measuring unit for measuring a torque generated by the tool, a non-turnable abutment unit, a first connecting element configured for connecting the drive of the tool with the torque measuring unit, for measuring a torque generated by the tool when a fluid pressure is applied to the tool, an adjustable braking unit configured for providing an adjustable braking force, a second connecting element configured for connecting the housing of the tool with the adjustable braking unit to apply the adjustable braking force to the housing so as to increase a turning resistance to turning of the housing of the tool, so that when the tool is operated the housing of the tool starts turning at a force determined by the braking unit while the drive of the tool apply an opposite and equal force to the measuring unit, so that when the braking force is increased a fluid pressure required for the tool increases and the tool can be calibrated, by determining the generated torque that corresponds to the applied fluid pressure, without inertia.
US07647805B2 Precision desorbing (detachable) metal sheet bend angle adjustment device
A precision metal sheet bend angle adjustment device is provided, which includes a lifter plate, a wedge plate, a support plate and a positioning frame. The lifter plate has a tapered bottom face. The wedge plate has a tapered top face and side recesses. The support plate has a top guiding grove and the positioning frame includes a rotary dial and adjustment screw. The support plate is fixed on the positioning frame. The wedge plate is located on top of the assembly such that it is able to slide within the guiding grove of the support plate. The adjustment screw of the rotary dial is inserted into the side recess of the wedge plate. The lifter plate rests on top of the wedge plate within the positioning frame such that, as the wedge plate slides back and forth, the lifter plate moves up and down within the positioning frame by rotating the rotary dial clockwise or counter clockwise. The die of the metal sheet bending equipment can be moved vertically while sitting atop the lifter plate.
US07647803B2 Rotary apparatus with multiple guides and method of forming
A rotary forming apparatus of the type having a pair of central rotors, and one or more die carriers swingably mounted on the rotors, for repeatedly forming a sheet metal work piece moving along a linear path, rotor bearing supports for supporting the rotors at least at one end thereof, die carrier guides on the die carriers at an end thereof adjacent to the rotor bearing supports, and, at least two cam plates adjacent to each the rotor bearing support, for guiding the die carriers guides.
US07647802B2 One-piece flexible tube connector and method of making the same
A method of manufacturing a one-piece flexible tube connector includes obtaining a tube blank having an initial length, an initial outer diameter, and an initial wall thickness. The tube blank is secured in a fixture and fed longitudinally into a forming tool. During the forming process, one of the tube blank and the forming tool is spun increasing an initial wall thickness of a portion of the tube blank to a second wall thickness, while the initial outer diameter of the tube blank is controlled. The thickened portion of the tube blank extends along a second length of the tube blank that is less than the initial length. After the spinning process, an attachment feature, such as a barbed feature, is formed or machined into the thickened portion of the tube blank to produce the one-piece flexible tube connector.
US07647800B2 Shot, devices, and installations for ultrasonic peening, and parts treated thereby
Shot for use in a peening installation, the shot having: hardness greater than or equal to 800 HV; density greater than or equal to 8 g/cm3; and pieces having a maximum dimension less than or equal to 1.5 mm.
US07647798B1 Lock having variably-spaced side pins
A lock includes a core rotatably disposed within a barrel. A plurality of tumbler pins are disposed in shafts in the core and communicate with a keyway. A side-pin shaft intersects each tumbler pin shaft at a selected angle. Each tumbler pin includes a side hole at a position along its length that aligns with the side-pin shaft when a proper key is inserted. An independent side pin is disposed in each side-pin shaft. One end of each side pin rests against its associated tumbler pin and the other end of each side pin is tapered and extends into a channel in the barrel. The side pins are biased outwardly by a spring towards the channel. The angle at which each side-pin shaft intersects each tumbler shaft may be different. The spacing between tumbler pin shafts may be different.
US07647786B2 Automotive air-conditioning system
In an automotive air-conditioning system, when pollen mode control is effected by a vehicle occupant, air outlet mode is forcibly set to a face mode. Further, the air flow amount determined from the air flow amount Vm used in the usual auto mode and the air flow amount f(Tw) used during warm-up control or the air flow amount determined by the air flow amount correction value f(Tam) having a relatively small upper limit value when ambient temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature (15° C.), whichever is larger, is taken as the set value for the air flow amount in the pollen mode control. With this arrangement, when coolant temperature and ambient temperature are low, a relatively small amount of air can be blown to the upper part of the occupant's body, and thus, while maintaining the pollen removal effect, occupant discomfort can be reduced by preventing a fast flow of air from being blown toward the occupant's face, etc.
US07647783B2 Compressor diagnostic system
A diagnostic system and method for a compressor assembly including a compressor and a motor protector includes logic circuitry associated with the motor protector and operable to analyze a status of the motor protector as a function of time and identify a specific fault cause. The diagnostic system also includes a demand signal sensor and a current sensor, wherein the logic circuitry is associated with the sensors to further enable the diagnostic system to determine a specific fault cause.
US07647782B2 Frozen beverage and ice making machines
Apparatus (10) for converting liquid (60) in a container (50) to a semi-frozen slurry (61) or frozen ice particles, where a refrigerant (41) is contained within a refrigerant cavity (40) defined by two walls (20, 30), the flexing/deformation of at least one of the walls (20, 30) agitating the liquid (60) to assist the conversion thereof into the semi-frozen slurry (61) or ice particles.
US07647777B2 Skid architecture for a power augmentation system
A fluid delivery skid with a pre-fill system for supplying fluid has one or more stages including a first valve and a second valve, each having an open and closed position. The stages have active and inactive states to provide a desired flow rate of fluid to an apparatus for distribution of the fluid. In an active state, fluid is received in the stage and pressurized with the first valve open and the second valve closed. Further, in an active state, fluid is released with the first valve closed and the second open. In an inactive state, at least the second valve is closed. A control unit is connected to a pump unit and controls operation of the pump to regulate the stages to supply pressure at a level determined to achieve the desired flow rate.
US07647772B2 Surface treatment for variable geometry turbine
An exemplary vane fronting surface for a variable geometry turbine includes a white layer that comprises nitrides. Such a layer may be formed using gas nitriding. As described, trials demonstrate that such nitriding reduces friction between a vane fronting surface and vanes of a variable geometry turbine. Consequently, nitriding can enhance longevity and controllability of a variable geometry turbine.
US07647771B2 Thermally driven piston assembly and position control therefor
A thermally driven piston assembly's housing has (i) a first material slidingly fitted therein, and (ii) at least one plug of a second material slidingly fitted therein and abutting the first material. The first material is one (e.g., a liquid crystal elastomer) that undergoes a stiffness change and/or a dimensional change when subjected to a temperature change in the temperature range of interest. When subjected to the temperature change while in the housing, the first material is restricted to changing dimensionally along a single dimension. The second material retains its shape and size throughout the temperature range of interest. As a result, the plug moves in the housing in correspondence with the dimensional change of the first material or the plug's movement is damped by the stiffness change of the first material.
US07647763B2 Polyoxymethylene as structural support member and propellant
A vehicle includes at least one polyoxymethylene structural support member. The polyoxymethylene structural support member includes a polyoxymethylene component that is a propellant that provides thrust to the vehicle upon pyrolysis or combustion of the polyoxymethylene component of the product of pyrolysis of the polyoxymethylene component. The vehicle can be a satellite or other type of spacecraft.
US07647762B2 Combined apparatus for fluid heating and electrical power generation
Combined apparatus for heating a fluid and for producing electrical power is comprised of a burner operable to burn a combustible fuel-air mixture to produce gaseous products of combustion; a heat exchanger adapted to receive the products of combustion and to transfer heat therefrom to the fluid; a gas-operated turbine; and an electrical generator that is co-rotatable with the turbine. In operation, gaseous products of combustion are introduced into the turbine after they have passed through at least a portion of the heat exchanger. The products of combustion expand in the turbine to rotate the turbine, which in turn rotates the generator to produce electrical power. The apparatus further includes a compressor that is co-rotatable with the turbine and generator to provide combustion air to the burner and to circulate the products of combustion through the heat exchanger and turbine.
US07647761B2 System for deicing the nose cone of an aircraft turbojet with oil
The turbojet has a bearing which supports, in rotation and in thrust, a low-pressure compressor shaft of axis Z-Z of the engine. The bearing is lubricated with oil by means of two nozzles. A feed tube is fastened to the nose cone of the engine. This tube connects the low-pressure compressor shaft to the engine nose cone. A skin lines the wall of the engine nose cone, leaving a passage for the circulation of oil. A plurality of radial oil return tubes are placed between the most eccentric part of the skin relative to the Z-Z axis and the bearing, for returning the oil to the bearing. The return of the oil into the bearing is located at a distance R from the Z-Z axis larger than the radius r of the feed tube.
US07647757B2 Auxiliary drive shaft connection on reel mower cutting unit
An auxiliary drive mounted to a reel mower cutting unit includes a cutting reel shaft rotated by a motor and having a horizontal axis, an auxiliary drive housing positioned adjacent the reel mower cutting unit and pivotable on the axis of the cutting reel shaft, an auxiliary drive input shaft engaged to the cutting reel shaft, and an auxiliary drive output shaft coaxially engaged to an end of an attachment outside the auxiliary drive housing by inserting one of the auxiliary drive output shaft and the attachment end through a collet and tightening a nut over the collet. A transverse pin in one of the output shaft and the attachment end may be engaged by a split end in the other of the output shaft and the attachment end.
US07647753B2 Header height control system and method
A header height control system and a method for improving the responsiveness of a header height control system. A height sensor is disposed with respect to the header to generate a signal varying in magnitude with respect to changes in distance between a preestablished point on the header and the ground. The magnitude of the generated signal when the header is at a predefined set point is determined. For generated signal magnitudes indicating the header is below the set point, the signal magnitudes are operably modified by applying a gain value. For generated signal magnitudes indicating the header is above the set point, the signal magnitudes may be modified by applying a different gain value. The application of a gain value or different gain values depending on the height of the header above or below the set point improves the responsiveness of the header height control system to changes in terrain.
US07647752B2 System and method for making custom boxes for objects of random size or shape
A system and accompanying method produces cartons for randomly sized and shaped objects or groups thereof by automatically measuring minimum bounding dimensions and transferring these dimensions to an automatic carton-making system. The system for determining the dimensions of an object to be packaged preferably includes a conveyor for moving the object, a vertically oriented light curtain to determine the height of the object, a horizontally oriented light curtain to determine the width of the object, and a tachometer synchronized to the conveyor enabling at least one of the light curtains to determine the length of the object. A computerized interface between the measurement apparatus and carton-making system may include an algorithm for virtually rotating the object to produce a carton just large enough to fit the object. The carton may be a corrugated carton or non-corrugated carton, and the carton-making system may be supplied with a continuous feed of “fanfolded” raw material or it may be sheet-fed. The system for determining the dimensions of an object to be packaged is capable of determining the dimensions of a group of objects to be packaged.
US07647750B2 Wrapping member attaching method and wrapping member attaching device
A wrapping member attaching device for attaching a wrapping member to a container includes a container preheating device, a wrapping member arranging device, and a wrapping member heating device. Due to the foregoing, the wrapping member is attached to the container without being tilted, wrinkles and unevenness of color. The container preheating device may include a container rotating device.
US07647749B2 Method for forming tubes in nets
A net derucking rectifier system is described. The system has a stuffer, a product horn having an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end mounted to the stuffer, a netting tube having an upstream end and a downstream end, the netting tube removably mounted coaxially over the product horn and having a tubular netting shirred thereon, a bracket mounted coaxially to the netting tube and having a plurality of fingers pointing radially inward to grip the netting, the bracket movable between a first position near the upstream end and a second position near the downstream end, the fingers biased to grip the netting when the bracket is moved from the first position to the second position and not to grip the netting when the bracket is moved from the second position to the first position, and a clipper located adjacent the distal end of the netting tube. In another embodiment, a method of derucking a predetermined length of netting rucked on a tube, comprises gripping the netting in a first position on the tube, moving the gripped netting from the first position to a second position a predetermined distance axially along the tube, releasing the netting at the second position, and regripping the netting at the first position.
US07647737B2 Building panel and building structure
An improved building panel with increased stiffness and resistance to buckling is disclosed. The panel cross section is characterized by a novel center portion comprised of radially arranged longitudinal stiffening ribs which transition into side portions configured to allow joining of the panels. The configuration of the panel's center section results in an increased moment of inertia as well as higher resistance to positive and negative bending moments and local buckling when compared to existing designs. Additionally, the panel configuration allows curving longitudinally without corrugations. These improvements in the strength of the panel and the elimination of corrugations reduce design constraints on buildings constructed of such panels and allow larger buildings to be constructed.
US07647735B2 Roofwindow having drainage system
The present invention relates to a drainage system for a roof window including at least one window frame or/and frame having walls, where at least one drainage groove is placed in the walls of the window.
US07647733B2 Reinforcing structure for building
A reinforcing structure for a building and a reinforcing member used for the structure, where the structure has excellent anti-vibration characteristics and quake resistance. The reinforcing structure and member for a building are capable of reducing the deformation of structural members of the building caused by vibration and removing the deformation so that the original form is restored. A reinforcing member (1) is provided and fixed at a corner portion where structural members (11, 12) of a building intersect. The reinforcing member (1) is formed such that a first spring member (third leaf 33) and a second spring member (layered leaf (5)) are combined, and a damper (4) and a synthetic resin foam body (2a) are arranged in a space between the first and second spring members. A synthetic resin foam body (2b) is filled in a space surrounded by the structural members (11, 12) and the reinforcing member (1).
US07647727B2 Method of preventing defective germination or rosette formation of seed
A method of preventing defective germination or rosette formation of a plant seed that tends to suffer from defective germination or rosette formation during growth thereof is provided, which can be easily carried out without using large-scale equipment and makes the sowing after the treatment of the method easy. The method of preventing defective germination or rosette formation of a plant seed includes the steps of: leaving the plant seed to stand in highly watery condition at low temperature in a dark place; and drying the plant seed.
US07647718B2 Multi-panel fold out device, blank, and method of making the device
A multi-panel fold-out device made from a blank includes at least first, second, and third panels which are joined together in sequence, and formed by separation lines between the first, second, and third panels. The first and second panels each have an internal panel portion including a score line adjacent to an edge of the panel. Each internal panel portion is releasably secured to its panel such that the internal panel portion can be pivoted around its score line relative to its panel. The first panel is foldable over, along the first separation line, to secure the first panel to the second panel. The first and second panels are foldable under, along the second separation line, to secure the first and second panels to the third panel. The first and second internal panel portions are of different sizes so that these panels can be folded out in sequence.
US07647712B2 Cutter head for dredging soil and method for dredging by means of this cutter head
A cutter head for dredging soil, which is mountable to the ladder of a suction dredger for dredging soil, and connectable on a suction pipe for removing loosened soil, the cutter head comprising a cage-shaped support construction which is mountable to a drivable rotation shaft extending mainly in extension of the ladder and which has a circumferential surface provided with a number of cuffing tools for penetrating the soil, the cuffing tools comprising a number of disc-shaped penetration bodies of which the disc planes extend substantially perpendicular to the rotation shaft, so that they can transfer forces to the soil via their peripheral edges.
US07647706B2 Scanning probe with constant scanning speed
A method for scanning a surface of a workpiece 1 at a constant scanning speed /va/ using a scanning probe 2 mounted on a support 3 on a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) 4. The CMM contains a first set of drive means (6, 7, 8) to move the support according to three linear axis (x,y,z), and the support 3 contains a second set of drive means (14, 17) for actuating the movement of the scanning probe 2 with two degrees of freedom relative to said support 3. The method involves control means 33 coupled to the sets of drive means (6, 14, 17), and memory means for storing theoretical profiles and coordinates of the surface to scan.
US07647700B1 Device for the removal of H-taps
A device for the removal of a H-tap splice on an electrical wire is presented. The device includes a c-shaped frame and a blade suitable for cutting the H-tap. A drive bolt forces the H-tap into the H-tap cutting blade. The drive bolt has a tightening end and an H-tap engagement end having a flat surface for contacting the H-tap. The drive bolt is configured into one end of the frame. The blade is joined to the opposite end and positioned with a cutting edge substantially parallel to the wire. The combination is operable to force the H-tap engagement end towards the blade as the tightening end is tightened where the H-tap is cut without cutting the wire and the wire can be removed from the H-tap.
US07647697B2 Method of manufacturing nozzle plate, method of manufacturing liquid ejection head, and matrix structure for manufacturing nozzle plate
The method manufactures a nozzle plate, and comprises: a patterned resist formation step of forming a patterned resist on a flat surface of a matrix substrate, the patterned resist having a shape corresponding to a diameter of nozzle holes in a nozzle plate to be formed, the patterned resist having a thickness corresponding to a length of the nozzle holes; a nozzle length regulating member placement step of placing the nozzle length regulating member having a flat surface onto the patterned resist in such a manner that the flat surface of the nozzle length regulating member faces the flat surface of the matrix substrate across the patterned resist; and a nozzle plate formation step of forming the nozzle plate by plating with the patterned resist between the flat surface of the matrix substrate and the flat surface of the nozzle length regulating member.
US07647696B2 Catalyst substrate having improved thermal durability
A catalyst substrate comprises a substrate material having an inlet, an outlet, an opening therebetween to allow for the passage of exhaust gas therethrough, and further comprises a catalyst and a layer of zirconium phosphate. Catalyst substrates coated with zirconium phosphate exhibit improved thermal durability, improved thermal shock resistance, and improved alkali and acidic corrosion resistance.
US07647693B2 Valve stem installation system and method of installing the valve stem
A valve stem installation system (10) includes a conveyor (24) for moving wheel rims (14). A detector (50) is comparable with the conveyor (24) to detect size of the wheel rim (14) and a location of an aperture (12) of the wheel rim (14) to receive various valve stems (16, 18). Two robots (110, 112) are adaptable for matably moving the valve stem (16, 18) to the wheel rim (14). A controller (60) is operably communicated with the robots (110, 112) and the detector (50) for receiving a signal from the detector (50) as the detector (50) identifies configuration of the wheel rim (14) and then transmitting the signal to the robots (110, 112) thereby directing the robots (110, 112) to selectively engage the valve stem (16, 18) to be inserted into the aperture (12). An insertion tool (114) is connected to each robot (110, 112) to selectively engage the valve stem (16, 18) to interchangeably move and insert the valve stem (16, 18) into the aperture (12) in response to the signal received by the robot (110, 112) from the controller (60).
US07647692B2 Method of manufacturing a transformer coil having cooling ducts
A method of manufacturing a dry-type, resin-encapsulated transformer coil that includes forming a plurality of conductive layers and positioning a plurality of pre-formed plastic cooling ducts so as to be disposed between the conductive layers.
US07647687B2 Method of manufacturing a stent
A stent, an intermediate article in the manufacture of a stent, and a method of forming a stent from a workpiece are disclosed. A portion of the wall thickness of a workpiece may be removed, demarcating the structural framework of a stent from the remainder of the workpiece material during a cutting process. In some embodiments, a residuum layer of material remaining after a cutting process may have a recessed surface in relation to a first surface of the structural framework of the stent formed in the workpiece. In some embodiments, a plurality of kerf channels may be cut in a workpiece to demarcate a structural framework of a stent from waste material of the workpiece. In some embodiments, a series of perforations may, at least in part, demarcate the structural framework of a stent from the remainder of the workpiece material. The waste material and/or residuum material may be removed from the structural framework of a stent during a post-cutting process.
US07647686B1 Method for producing a profile edge on a stock part
The present invention relates generally to a tooling system and method for producing a profile edge on a stock part, for example, by casting a profile edge to a stock part, such as a table or the like. The tooling system is adapted to accommodate any stock part and generally includes a flexible tool device, a stock part with opposed ends defining an edge therebetween, and a securing device.
US07647685B2 Method of making slip resistant file folders
A folder made from a roll of folder material stock. The folder has a front flap having a first top edge and a first width, and a rear flap connected to said front flap by a folder bottom, the rear flap having a second top edge and a second width. A slip-resistant portion is disposed on at least one of the flaps near said first or second top edge. The folder material stock comprises paper and a polymer material. A method of making the folder includes the steps of providing folder material stock comprising polymeric material, providing embossing dies in spaced, operable, mating relationship, positioning the folder material stock appropriately in the embossing dies, applying force to at least one of the embossing dies so as to decrease the spaced relationship, and deforming the folder material stock.
US07647683B1 Fitting aligner
A system of aligning and connecting a threaded male fastener to a correspondingly threaded female fastener has a nut having a plurality of upturned sides and a central axis aligned with that of one of the male or female fastener. The system includes a guide sleeve having a cylindrical internal surface and an end sized to fit within the upturned sides of the nut, and a guide member having a cylindrical external surface and a central axis aligned with that of the other of the male or female fastener. The guide member cylindrical external surface is slidingly and rotatably movable with respect to the guide sleeve cylindrical internal surface. The guide sleeve end fits within the upturned sides of the nut and the guide member is adapted to be slid into the guide sleeve, such that the threaded male and female fasteners are coaxially aligned and contacted. The guide member is rotated with respect to the guide sleeve so that threads of the male fastener engage threads of the female fastener.
US07647681B1 Portable magnetic positioning tool
Apparatus and methods for positioning one or more components relative to a work surface are provided. The apparatus can include a frame having a first support member extending therefrom. At least one extendable member can be disposed on the first support member. The extendable member can be adapted to move in a linear direction. At least one magnet can be disposed on the frame. The magnet can include at least one contact side that can be switchable between a magnetized state and a non-magnetized state.
US07647672B2 Vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner comprises: a body; a suction head arranged at a lower side of the body and sucking dust or filth; a suction fan mounted at the body and generating a suction force; a dust collecting container mounted in the body and collecting dust or filth sucked into the suction head; and a compression unit mounted at the body and compressing dust or filth collected in the dust collecting container.
US07647671B2 Suction cleaner
A suction cleaner that sucks in dust, from a suction mouth of a suction mouth body, with airflow generated through operation of an electric air blower and introduces the sucked airflow into a dust collection device to collect the dust. The suction mouth body is provided with a first suction mouth and a second suction mouth. An agitator is arranged at the first suction mouth. The first suction mouth is selected by a suction mouth-switching device, and the agitator is driven when the suction is carried out from the first suction mouth. A mechanism for transmitting power to the agitator includes a driving pulley that co-rotates with the agitator, an idler that can be rotated independently of the agitator, and a belt that is shifted between the driving pulley and the idler by a belt-switching device.
US07647669B2 Windshield wiper blade assembly
A novel blade assembly for windshield wipers is provided herein. The blade assembly mainly contains a number of tubular segments cascaded in series by a number of connectors. At least a flexible strip is threaded through the series-connected tubular segments to provide even distribution of pressure against the windshield. Each connector has a body for sticking into the two neighboring tubular segments so as to cascade the two tubular segments together. The body of the connectors has at least a through channel for the flexible strip's passing through. The aperture of the through channel decreases from the two ends towards the center of the body, making the blade assembly easier to bend and more conforming to the windshield's curvature.
US07647667B2 Child's fragrant cleaning implement
A disposable child sized cleaning implement is provided. The disposable child sized cleaning implement is releasably carrying a personal care composition which comprises a fragrance composition.
US07647666B2 Scraper blade interlocking attachment apparatus and method
Attachment apparatus and method for interlocking attachment of a scraper blade with a drive shaft of a scraped surface heat exchanger includes a blade having dual attachment beams and a central locking member, and at least one pin having dual fingers each for interlocking with a respective attachment beam.
US07647660B2 Mattress incorporating a headrest for preventing and correcting non-synostotic cranial deformities in infants
A device for correcting the shape of an infant's abnormally-shaped cranium by applying external forces over time with the growth of an infant to achieve normal shaping of the infant's head. The device applies inwardly-directed external forces only to areas of bony prominence and minimizes (or altogether eliminates) these forces on the areas of the skull that are less prominent (or flattened). Because the present invention is non-conforming to the shape of an abnormal skull, the exerted forces cause accelerated expansion of the skull in less prominent (flattened) areas coincident with brain and skull growth. This causes the cranium to return to a normal symmetric cranial shape. The material that contacts the infant's cranium is semi-rigid, relatively non-flexible, and maintains its overall shape under stress. For an infant with an already normally-shaped cranium, the device causes the infant's cranium to grow evenly and maintain its normal shape, and thus prevents abnormal cranial shaping.
US07647658B2 Baby receiving blanket having pocket for receiving the baby
A baby blanket includes a generally rectangular base cloth panel with a front face and an opposite rear face and a front cloth panel defining five edges. The front cloth panel is attached to the base cloth panel along four of the five edges so as to define a pocket between the front and base cloth panels and to define an opening into the pocket between the fifth edge of the front cloth panel and the base cloth panel, the pocket configured to receive the baby therein such that the front cloth panel covers substantially the entire torso of the baby. A plurality of tie members are attached to the front cloth panel proximate the fifth edge of the front cloth panel, the plurality of tie members configured to releasably couple to corresponding tie members attached to the base cloth panel so as to maintain the opening in a closed position and inhibit entry into the pocket when the blanket is not in use.
US07647656B2 Segmented sleeping bag system
A segmented sleeping bag is provided that can be used as a sleeping bag or can be transversely separated into constituent parts for alternative uses. In one alternative, one or more of the constituent parts may be used with a host sleeping bag to provide enhanced performance properties. In another alternative, one or more of the constituent parts of the segmented sleeping bag may be used as an article of clothing, such as a parka or cagoule.
US07647653B1 Retrofit soap dispenser for water faucet
An exemplary embodiment includes a soap dispenser designed to fit into a water faucet having a stopper-closing lift rod. The rod is removed, and the dispenser tube is inserted into the faucet base hole and down under the counter where the tube is connected to a reservoir of liquid soap. Pressing down on the top of the soap dispenser produces liquid soap through a soap spout above the water faucet spout. Pulling up on the dispenser closes the sink stopper, and pushing down opens the sink stopper. The method of doing the retrofit is also claimed, as well as electrically and mechanically operated versions.
US07647652B1 Toilet seat hinge
A toilet seat hinge and a toilet seat assembly comprising the toilet seat hinge are disclosed. The disclosed toilet seat hinge is configured to eliminate or reduce the number of gaps, edges, sharp corners and/or exposed surfaces found in and around conventional toilet seat hinges. This can be done, for example, without compromising simplicity or manufacturability. Several features of the disclosed toilet seat hinge make it easier to clean than conventional toilet seat hinges. The seat and lid, for example, can be attached to rotatable elements that are cradled in a base and rotate on substantially the same axis. The profile of the hinge can be streamlined with numerous concave surfaces. Portions of the seat and lid that are not connected to one of the rotatable elements can slide against other elements, so as not to create gaps or sharp corners.
US07650647B1 Hardware-oriented configuration and locking of devices
Method and device for setting basic means of access for operation of electronically operated devices (12), with the aid of a possibly transferable personal authentication system (16), essentially based on three components used in the course of the method in accordance with the invention; namely additional device hardware functions permitting means of access, namely in particular for custom configuration and shutdown of the devices; a hardware-oriented interface to a reader device (18) for the authentication system (16) such as a SmartCard reader permitting access to the functions by a SmartCard (16); and the authentication system (16) itself, capable of directly accessing the configuration and/or shutdown/startup/restart functions of the device hardware by way of the defined interface.Legitimization for configuration/shutdown and startup/restart of the devices is provided by matching of keys stored on the SmartCard (16) and in a ROM (14) in the device (12).
US07650644B2 Object-based access control
Techniques are described for using permission data objects to control user access to business data objects. A permission data object identifies a group affiliation associated with a user and a business object type (or family of business data objects) to which the permission object controls access. A permission object includes a permission attribute and a permission value. A user who has the group affiliation that is identified in the permission object is permitted to access a particular business data object of the business object type when the value of the permission attribute in the permission data object is consistent with the value of a corresponding attribute in the particular business data object to which the user seeks access.
US07650641B2 Lightweight privacy cover for displayed sensitive information
Methods, systems and computer products are provided for preventing display of sensitive information. Displayed information may be designated as sensitive information and may be covered from display on a computer screen display by an opaque covering. The sensitive information covering may be removed to expose the underlying information in response to minimal user action. Uncovered sensitive information may be automatically re-covered according to a number of triggering mechanisms.
US07650638B1 Network security monitoring system employing bi-directional communication
The present invention provides for the receipt of a heartbeat message transmitted from a software agent within a host machine to a server-based agent manager. The server-based agent manager analyzes the heartbeat message to determine the identity of the sending software agent. The server-based agent manager then determines what information is to be included in a response message to the software agent. The server-based agent manager prepares the response message to be sent to the software agent. The server-based agent manager transmits the response message to the software agent over a bi-directional communication link between the software agent and the server-based agent manager. The software agent receives the response message; deserializes the response message; reviews the instructions within the response message; and performs operations necessary to carry out the instructions delivered in the response message.
US07650635B2 Method and apparatus for preventing network attacks by authenticating internet control message protocol packets
A method of preventing an attack on a network, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of receiving an ICMP packet that includes a copy of a header associated with a connection in a connection-oriented transport protocol; obtaining a packet sequence value from the header; determining if the packet sequence value is valid; and updating a parameter value associated with the transport protocol connection only if the packet sequence value is determined to be valid. Use of the disclosed method enables authenticating ICMP packets so that responsive measures of a network element, such as adjusting an MTU value, are performed only when the ICMP packet is determined to be authentic.
US07650633B2 Automated organizational role modeling for role based access controls
Generally speaking, systems, methods and media for automatically generating a role based access control model (RBAC) for an organizational environment with a role based access control system such as a hierarchical RBAC (HRBAC) system are disclosed. Embodiments may include a method for generating an RBAC model. Embodiments of the method may include accessing existing permissions granted to users of an organizational environment and analyzing the permissions to create permission characteristics. Embodiments of the method may also include performing cladistics analysis on the permission characteristics to determine role perspective relationships between individual users of the organizational environment. Embodiments of the method may also include generating an RBAC model based on the determined role perspective relationships between individual users of the organizational environment. Further embodiments of the method may include where generating the RBAC model includes generating a cladogram based on the determined role perspective relationships.
US07650631B2 Method for verifying authorization with extensibility in AAA server
A method for verifying authorization with extensibility in an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server, and more particularly, a method for verifying authorization in an AAA server capable of uniformly performing an authorization verification function regardless of a variety of authorization verification methods required for a user service provided through a network is provided. The method for verifying authorization with extensibility in an AAA server includes: the AAA server performing user authentication, transmitting the authentication result data to the user, and requesting authorization information for a subscriber service desired to be used, to the user; the user transferring an extensible authorization verification protocol framework having a predetermined format according to an AAA protocol to the AAA server, and requesting verification of the requested authorization; the AAA server verifying whether or not the authorization requested to be verified is set for the user, by referring to the framework; and if the authorization is verified, the AAA server transmitting the authorization verification result to the user, and by allocating a resource related to the authorization, beginning to provide the subscriber service.
US07650627B1 Abstract configuration files for efficient implementation of security services
A method is described that involves identifying a configuration file in response to a desire to obtain security services. The configuration file describes a security policy tailored for use in the environmental condition set under which the desire arose. The identifying is based upon at least a portion of the environmental condition set. The method also involves using information found within the configuration file to configure code that performs authentication and authorization services so that the code will implement the security policy.
US07650626B2 Service system of thumbnail image and transmitting/receiving method thereof
The present invention provides a service system of a thumbnail image and transmitting/receiving method thereof, by which a thumbnail image service of high quality of service and various application services can be provided to a user and by which a broadcasting station or thumbnail image service provider produces to transmit the thumbnail image to reduce a price of a broadcast receiver. The present invention includes a transmitting unit generating at least one thumbnail image for a specific program to transfer on a transport channel and a receiving unit demodulating the transferred at least one thumbnail image to display or store.
US07650619B2 Virtual program list providing system
A control unit (15) of a virtual program table producing apparatus (2) produces users program viewing inclination information on the basis of a program viewing history of a user stored by a storage unit (12) accumulated in a data base (11) for storing a program viewing history of a program viewed by a user, classifies users into a group on the basis of individual information of a user, produces group program viewing inclination information showing that each group views what program from the program viewing history of a user belonging to each group, organizes each program broadcast in a plurality of real channels having a predetermined frequency band in a virtual channel virtually having a frequency band owned by the plurality of real channels on the basis of the user's taste, the user program viewing inclination information and the group program viewing inclination information, fetches program information of a virtual channel organized from the data base (11) for accumulating program information which is attribute information of a program broadcast in the real channels, and arranges the fetched program information on the basis of the virtual channel to produce a virtual program table.
US07650614B2 Electrical device cabinet
An electrical device cabinet includes a cabinet body, a front panel, and a positioning mechanism. The cabinet body has an open front end. The front panel is formed by a resin molding, and is mounted to the front end of the cabinet body. The positioning mechanism includes a concave portion disposed at the cabinet body and a convex portion disposed at an inner face of the front panel. The positioning mechanism positions the front panel in a lateral direction with respect to the cabinet body by mating the concave portion and the convex portion. The convex portion is formed in a hollow shape and is covered by an outer face of the front panel from a front side of the front panel.
US07650611B2 Disc apparatus
In a disc apparatus, a tray gear has a boss protruding from one predetermined place in an inner circumference edge part thereof. During assembly of a tray into the apparatus cabinet, when the boss is located within a predetermined range of rotation of the tray gear, the boss meshes with a groove-forming rib provided on the tray and is thereby centered so that the tray gear and the rack mesh with each other always at the same teeth thereof.
US07650610B2 Recording medium driver and recorder/reproducer
A detection hole 34 is provided in a tray 30, on which a cartridge type recording medium is mounted and housed, at a position corresponding to an information hole of a cartridge, a detection lever 35 is provided on a back surface of the tray 30 on the lower surface side of the detection hole 34, and a switch section 111 is provided on a frame 10 on the lower surface side of the detection lever 35 while the tray 30 is housed within the frame 10. Accordingly, the switch section 111 can be separated from the motion of a base since the switch section 111 is fixed to the frame 10, and consequently, the structure can be simplified and the space efficiency can be enhanced.
US07650606B2 System recovery
Disclosed is a technique for system recovery. Information identifying one or more work requests is retrieved, along with an order of the work requests, for a business process. If the business process is non-transactional, an in-memory structure is created for the business process, a recovery stub is created for each work request, and the recovery stub for each work request is placed into the in-memory structure based on the order.
US07650603B2 Resource management for virtualization of graphics adapters
Mechanisms are provided for the sharing of graphics adapter resources among multiple partitions in a virtual machine environment. A first mechanism allows for the sharing of graphics adapter resources so that one partition, a video service partition, containing a graphics proxy process, can use this graphics proxy process to offer graphics adapter resources to another partition, a video client partition. The graphics proxy process controls access time by any given partition to the graphics adapter resources. In one aspect, it uses a time bank to control access time, and the time bank controls how long a virtual graphics adapter offered to the video client partition can access the graphics adapter resources. A second mechanism synchronizes virtual memory in the video client partition to virtual memory in the video service partition. A third mechanism allows for multiple video client partition overlays using a pixel-shader-based virtual overlay mechanism.
US07650600B2 Unique identifier resolution interfaces for lightweight runtime identity
The present invention extends the reflection feature found in some virtual machines or code execution managers by providing interface mechanisms that expose unique identifiers, e.g., metadata tokens and runtime handles. These interfaces are further configured to resolve these unique identifiers to their respective member info or data structures, and vise versa. These unique identifiers remove the element of string binding/resolution, giving them more performance oriented approach to such things as the late-bound reflection/invocation found in the heavyweight features of reflection processes. In addition, these lightweight identifiers allow for enhanced performance and work set when used in analyzing the functionality associated with the corresponding member.
US07650598B2 Method for allocating registers for a processor
A method of allocating registers for a PAC processor. The PAC processor has a first cluster and a second cluster. Each cluster includes a first functional unit, a second functional unit, a first local register file connected to the first functional unit, a second local register file connected to the second register file, and a global register file having a ping-pong structure formed by a first register bank and a second register bank. After building a Component/Register Type Associated Data Dependency Graph (CRTA-DDG), a functional unit assignment, register file assignment, ping-pong register bank assignment, and cluster assignment of the invention are performed to take full advantage of the properties of a PAC processor.
US07650596B2 Method for ECU calibration and diagnostics development
A method is provided for controlling RAM variables embedded in a microprocessor software executable without modifications to the underlying source code. The method includes: presenting an software program having a plurality of machine instructions of a finite number of fixed lengths in an executable form; searching through the machine instructions of the executable and finding at least one appropriate instruction to replace; defining a replacement instruction for identified machine instructions in the software program; and replacing identified machine instructions in the executable form of the software program with the replacement instruction. The replacement instruction may be further defined as a branch instruction that references an address outside an address space for the software program.
US07650595B2 Sound transaction-based reduction without cycle detection
Described techniques and tools help model checking scale to large programs while reducing missed errors. In particular, described techniques and tools help reduce the state space of concurrent programs without depending on cycle detection and without scheduling execution of postponed threads at all cycles. For example, described techniques and tools use a type of partial-order reduction called transaction-based reduction to reduce program state space. Analysis is performed at commit points to determine whether to schedule delayed threads.
US07650588B2 Methods and systems for pattern generation based on multiple forms of design data
In a pattern generation method, properties of designs are extracted in a mask data preparation system, and the properties are propagated to a lithography write system. A pattern is generated based on fractured design data and the extracted properties. By preserving the design intent to the lithography write system, the fidelity of the pattern replication may improve.
US07650583B2 Method for determining maximum operating frequency of a filtered circuit
A single verification tool provides both static timing analysis and timing simulation capabilities targeted at both full-custom and ASIC designs in a unified environment. In various embodiments the verification tool includes the following features: (a) Integrating both static timing analysis and dynamic simulation tools into a single tool, (b) Efficient path search for multi-phase, multi-frequency and multi-cycle circuit in the presence of level sensitive latch, (c) Automatically identifying circuit structure, e.g. complex gate, for timing characterization, (d) Circuit structures at transistor level solved by incorporating function check, (e) Carrying out functional check to filter out false path and identifying gate with simultaneously changing inputs, (f) Finding maximum operating frequency in the presence of level sensitive latches after filtering out false paths, (g) Crosstalk solver by utilizing the admittance matrix and voltage transfer of RLC part in frequency domain coupled with the non-linear driver in time domain implemented in spice-like simulator, (h) Making use of the correlation between inputs of aggressors and victim to determine switching time at victim's output iteratively.
US07650581B2 Method for modeling and verifying timing exceptions
A method and system for timing exception verification in integrated circuit (IC) designs included verification of functional false paths as well as multi-cycle paths (MCPs). A false path or a MCP is modeled to a satisfiability formula and the formula is validated using a Boolean satisfiability solver. Time required for timing exception verification can be significantly reduced.
US07650580B2 Method and apparatus for determining the performance of an integrated circuit
A system that determines the performance of an integrated circuit (IC). During operation, the system receives probability distributions for parameters for the IC. Next, the system generates samples of the IC, wherein generating a given sample involves using the probability distribution to assign values to the parameters for components within the IC. The system then calculates output performance metrics for the samples based on the assigned values of the parameters, and uses the calculated output performance metrics to generate a distribution of output performance metrics for the samples.
US07650579B2 Model correspondence method and device
A method and device for determining memory element and intermediate point correspondences between design models is disclosed. The method includes developing graph representations of two circuit design models of an electronic device. The circuit design models each include input and output nodes corresponding to input and output nodes of the electronic device. The circuit design models also include memory and intermediate nodes corresponding to memory elements and intermediate points, respectively of the electronic device. An intermediate point represents a point between memory elements of the electronic device, and so can represent logic gates or other modules of the device. Memory elements and intermediate points can be referred to collectively as circuit elements. Nodes in the graph representation represent inputs, outputs, memory elements or intermediate points in the design models. A correspondence between the circuit elements in circuit design models is determined based on the graph representations.
US07650577B2 Digital data receiver and method for constructing slideshows
A method for constructing a still-image slideshow is provided. The method comprises receiving a command signal for constructing a slideshow associated with video data included in digital data received by the digital data receiver; acquiring at least one still image from the video data, in response to receiving the command signal; and constructing the slideshow based on the still image.
US07650575B2 Rich drag drop user interface
In an electronic file system, preview information is provided to the user during a drag operation of a selected object onto a target object. The information indicates what type(s) of action is to be taken should the selected object be dropped onto the target object. The action(s) to be taken may depend upon the type of the selected object and/or the type of the target object. For example, where the selected object is an item and the target object is a persisted auto-list, the action may include adding, removing, or modifying one or more properties of the selected object to conform to one or more criteria defined by the persisted auto-list. Also, numerical feedback may be provided to the user where multiple objects are selected. For example, where seven objects are selected, the textual number “7” may appear next to the cursor.
US07650574B2 Visually indicating problems found during programmatic analysis of a graphical program
A system and method for visually indicating one or more problems in a graphical program. The graphical program may be programmatically analyzed to discover a problem (or potential problem) in the graphical program. The problem found during the programmatic analysis of the graphical program may then be visually indicated on a display device. Visually indicating the problem may comprise visually indicating one or more objects in the graphical program to which the problem corresponds. Visually indicating the graphical program object(s) may comprise displaying information or altering the appearance of the object(s) in order to call the user's attention to the object(s).
US07650567B2 Reception apparatus and information browsing method
The present invention allows the transmitting side to transmit a plurality of pieces of layout information that determines a display layout of at least one media and media data making up this layout information and allows the receiving side to receive the layout information and media making up this layout information transmitted from the transmitting side, select one out of a plurality of different pieces of layout information based on a reception state of this media and represent the media using the selected layout information.
US07650566B1 Representing list definitions and instances in a markup language document
An application has its own namespace or namespaces and a schema, or a set of schemas, which can be used by applications to generate and/or validate documents in a unique format. The application can uniquely define the format (and properties) of content in a document such that the document is represented in a native format. The document can be stored externally as a markup language file in accordance with the schema of the application. When the format is stored in a markup language, other applications can validate the document stored in accordance with the native format. The other applications can represent the lists in accordance to the degree to which they are aware of the unique properties of the application used to generate the document.
US07650561B1 Method of switching from parallel to serial MAP detector
A MAP detector system operates in a parallel mode for on-the-fly operations and in a serial mode for error recovery operations. In the parallel mode, a plurality of Viterbi operators process a block of input sampled data in parallel. In the serial mode a selected forward Viterbi operator and two associated reverse Viterbi operators process the entire block of data, in order, to produce soft decision data.
US07650559B2 Communication apparatus, communication system, communication method, and communication control program
A communication apparatus includes a physical frame generating device configured to generate a single physical frame which includes a plurality of media access control frames having different destinations and in which frames, of the media access control frames, which have the same destination are consecutively arranged, and a transmitting device configured to transmit the physical frame generated by the physical frame generating device.
US07650557B2 Memory scrubbing of expanded memory
Embodiments of the invention include a memory device, such as a removable expanded memory card, having a host bus interface that allows a host to access a memory of the device. The memory device also includes memory scrubbing circuitry to read data stored at addresses in the memory and to identify single-bit errors and multiple-bit errors in the data read from the memory.
US07650555B2 Method and apparatus for characterizing components of a device under test using on-chip trace logic analyzer
A test system is disclosed wherein a device under test (DUT) includes a trace logic analyzer (TLA) that receives and stores test data. The test system includes both a master tester and a slave tester. The slave tester operates at a high speed data rate substantially faster than that of the master tester. The master tester instructs the TLA to monitor data that the DUT receives from the slave tester to detect a predetermined data pattern within the data. The slave tester transmits data including the predetermined data pattern to the DUT. The DUT receives the data. When the TLA in the DUT detects the predetermined data pattern in the received data, the TLA stores that data pattern as a stored data pattern. The master tester retrieves the stored data pattern and compares the stored data pattern with the original predetermined data pattern. If the master tester determines that the stored data pattern is the same as the original predetermined data pattern, then the master tester generates a pass result. Otherwise, the master tester generates a fail result. In one embodiment, the DUT includes multiple receivers and the system determines a pass/fail rating on a per receiver basis.
US07650553B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit apparatus and interface test method
An interface test can be performed by, for example, only a self apparatus when interface operation specifications are different between the self apparatus and an original connection partner apparatus. An LSI has a plurality of interfaces (IFs) for transmission/reception of data with an external device, and the LSI includes an emulation control unit for allowing one of the two of the plurality of IFs to perform an operation of emulating an IF of a connection partner device having operation specifications different from those of the LSI, when two IFs are connected to each other via a transmission line.
US07650552B2 Apparatus and method for detecting and recovering errors caused by electrostatic discharge
A method and apparatus for detecting an error compares a hardwired reference value to a corresponding predetermined value and generates an error indication in response to a change in the predetermined value. In one embodiment, the predetermined value is set to be the same as the hardwired reference value and in response to an electrostatic discharge event or any other suitable cause of error, the predetermined value changes so that a comparison indicates that an error has occurred. An error indication is then generated which may be, for example, an interrupt to recovery logic that generates recovery control information to reset a functional block that was corrupted or to perform in an entire chip reset if desired.
US07650551B2 Error detection and recovery within processing stages of an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit includes a plurality of processing stages each including processing logic 2, a non-delayed latch 4, a delayed latch 8 and a comparator 6. The non-delayed latch 4 captures an output from the processing logic 2 at a non-delayed capture time. At a later delayed capture time, the delayed latch 8 also captures a value from the processing logic 2. The comparator 6 compares these values and if they are not equal this indicates that the non-delayed value was captured too soon and should be replaced by the delayed value. The non-delayed value is passed to the subsequent processing stage immediately following its capture and accordingly error recovery mechanisms are used to suppress the erroneous processing which has occurred by the subsequent processing stages, such as gating the clock and allowing the correct signal values to propagate through the subsequent processing logic before restarting the clock. The operating parameters of the integrated circuit, such as the clock frequency, the operating voltage, the body biased voltage, temperature and the like are adjusted so as to maintain a finite non-zero error rate in a manner that increases overall performance.
US07650549B2 Digital design component with scan clock generation
A master and a slave stage of a flip-flop are each separately clocked with non-overlapping clock signals during scan mode to eliminate a data input scan mode multiplexer. Separate, non-overlapping clocking permits the elimination of hold violations in scan mode for scan mode flip flop chains, permitting the elimination of delay buffers in the scan mode data paths. Resulting application circuits have reduced circuit area, power consumption and noise generation. A clock generator for scan mode clocking is provided to obtain the separate, non-overlapping scan mode clocks. Scan mode clocks may be generated with a toggle flip flop, a pulse generator or a clock gating circuit.